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o"t'7 

THE  AMERICAN 

CATTLE  DOCTOE: 

A   COMPLETE    WORK   ON  ALL   THE   DISEASES  OF 

CATTLE,  SHEEP,  AND  SWINE, 


INCLUDING 


EVERY  DISEASE  PECULIAR  TO  AMERICA, 


AND    EMBRACING 


/LL  THE  LATEST  INFORMATION  ON  THE  CATTLE  PLAGUE  AND  TRICHINA. 


CONTAINING   ALSO 


A    GUIDE   TO   SYMPTOMS, 

A  TABLE  OF  WEIGHTS  AND  MEASURES,  AND 

A  LIST  OF  VALUABLE  MEDICINES. 


GEO.    H.    DADD,   V.  S., 

Twenty-five  Years  a  Leading  Veterinary  Surgeon  in  England  and  the  United  State*, 
and  Author  of  the  ''American  Horse  Book." 


NEW  YORK: 

ORANQK    JUDD    CONIPANY, 

751    BROADWAY. 

1891 


Entered  accorJing  to  Act  of  Coiigress,  in  the  year  1869,  by 

R.    W.    CARROLL    &    CO., 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the 
Southern  District  of  Ohio. 


PREFACE 


AMERICANS  rank  high  in  the  estimation  of  the  scientifio 
world  for  their  genins  and  industry  in  the  great  work  ot 
intellectual,  moral,  and  scientific  improvements.  See  what  has 
occurred  in  the  arts  of  printing,  electrotyping,  etc.  The  eloquence 
of  the  great  literary  magicians  of  the  New  World,  the  honored 
graduates  of  free  institutions  and  free  schools,  no  sooner  falls  from 
their  lips  than  the  phonographist  transfers  it  to  paper,  the  nimble 
fingers  of  the  compositor  puts  it  into  "  form ; "  next  the  "  battery  " 
deposits  on  the  face  of  the  type  a  more  durable  coating  of  copper, 
and  "  Hoe's  press  "  sends  off  "  impressions  "  with  almost  magical 
rapidity.  No  less  surprising  are  the  wonderful  feats  performed 
by  American  mechanics,  in  the  construction  of  fast  yachts  and 
steamers,  which  often  pluck  a  laurel  from  the  so-called  "  Mistress 
of  the  Sea  ; "  and  old  "  Uncle  John  "  gives  us  due  credit  for  per- 
fecting a  race  of  fast  trotters  that  can  beat  the  world  of  horse- 
flesh. 

Improvements  in  every  department  of  Science  and  Art  are  con- 
stantly treading  on  the  heels  of  improvement;  yet,  as  regards  the 
science  of  Veterinary  Medicine  and  Surgery,  America  seems  almost 
the  last  among  civilized  nations  to  put  her  shoulder  to  the  wheel. 
What  can  be  the  reason?  Her  youth  may  be  offered  as  a  plea 
foi  excuses.  The  daughter  of  the  Old  World  has  not  yet,  in  this 
department,  arrived  at  years  of  discretion  ;  she  is  yet  in  her  teens 
Her  sons  have  borne  the  heat  and  burden  of  the  day  in  establish- 
ing their  liberty,  in  founding  cities,  extending  commerce,  and  in 
taming  the  wild  face  of  soil,  by  uprooting  the  giant  oak,  and  in 
clearing  away  the  forest,  so  that  the  husbandman,  with  plow  and 
harrow  in  hand,  might  follow  on,  and  next  impregnate  mother 

(iii) 


PREFACE. 

earth  with  germs  for  fructification,  which,  in  the  clay  of  the  har- 
vest thereof,  might  be  gathered  and  garnered  for  the  benefit  of 
man  and  the  inferior  orders  of  creation. 

And  long  ere  the  woodman's  ax  ceases  to  vibrate  its  clear 
stroke-notes  in  the  ears  of  the  new  settlers,  a  giant  enterprise  is 
in  contemplation.  Space  and  distance  must  be  comparatively  an- 
nihilated ;  the  iron  horse,  with  his  lungs  of  steel  and  breath  of 
steam,  must  have  his  highway  and  byway,  and  the  result  is,  the 
choice  spirits  of  progression  have  been  earnestly  engaged  in  dot- 
ting a  vast  surface  of  United  States  Territory  with  a  magnificent 
not-work  of  railway  and  telegraphic  wire ;  and  various  other  en- 
terprises, -with  which  the  reader  is  familiar,  have  so  occupied  the 
American  mind,  that  the  Science  of  Life,  as  it  applies  to  animals, 
has  been  almost  at  a  stand-still. 

In  the  prosecution  of  these  objects,  so  essential  as  they  ha^^ 
proved  in  the  economy  of  an  infant  republic,  it  is  not  surpris- 
ing that  our  science  should  fail  to  receive  attention,  and  that 
America  should  be  in  the  rear  of  the  veterinary  squadrons  of 
the  Old  World ;  yet,  notwithstanding  this  seeming  indifference, 
veterinary  science  does,  in  some  parts  of  this  country,  occupy  as 
high  a  platform  as  that  which  obtained  in  England,  about  seventy 
years  ago,  when  the  Apostle  of  Mercy,  St.  Bel,  first  landed  o.a 
British  soil. 

The  science  which  we  here  advocate  is  as  valuable  and  chari- 
table to  nature's  menials,  for  the  purpose  of  ministering  to  their 
physical  wants,  relieving  their  aches  and  pains,  and  of  prolong- 
ing their  lives,  as  that  practiced  on  the  more  noble  of  created  liie ; 
and,  at  the  present  day,  testimony  can  be  produced  going  to  shoAv 
that  among  us  can  be  found  "  good  Samaritans  "  who  are  always 
ready  to  minister  to  the  w^ants  of  the  inferior  orders  of  creation — 
a  work  as  acceptable  to  the  God  of  Nature,  and  as  creditable  to 
manhood,  as  when  the  welfare  of  one  of  us  is  concerned.  And 
should  we  estimate  the  science  in  exact  ratio  to  the  value  and  use- 
fulness of  the  legion  host  of  domestic  animals  that  have  been 
reared  in  this. country,  and  those  which,  without  regard  to  cost, 
have  been  imported,  to  whose  welfare  it  directly  contributes,  the 
reader  will,  readily  perceive  that  it  is  entitled  to  the  consideration 
and  support  of  a  nation  of  husbandmen. 

It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  a  knowledge  of  the  principles 
of  veterinary  medicine  can  not  be  acquired  without  diligent  stud;^ 


PREFACE.  V 

and  close  application.  It  Is  only  the  property  of  the  industrious 
and  devoted  student. 

In  order  to  acquire  the  necessary  tact,  skill,  and  experience  for 
the  practice  of  our  art,  some  of  the  shining  lights — the  early  dis- 
ciples— have  spent  the  May-day  of  their  existence  in  solving  its 
problems,  and,  when  near  its  close,  have  declared,  with  a  modesty 
indicative  of  true  genius,  that  their  education  was  yet  incomplete. 

Such  testimony  goes  to  show  that  there  is  no  republican  nor 
royal  road  to  veterinary  knowledge.  In  fact,  after  a  man  has 
perseveringly  jjursued  the  routine  studies  of  the  most  popular  col- 
legiate institutions,  he  may  still  ba  found  "  wanting." 

Let  us  contemplate  for  a  moment  the  superior  advantages  which 
human  practitioners  have  over  our  craftsmen,  both  as  regards 
their  scientific  qualifications  and  the  superior  means  at  their  com- 
mand for  ascertaining  the  character,  location,  and  intensity  of  the 
various  maladies  peculiar  to  the  human  race.  For  example,  the 
practitioner  of  human  medicine,  if  he  has  been  a  faithful  and  in- 
dustrious student,  enters  upon  the  active  duties  of  his  profession, 
having  acquired  a  valuable  fund  of  knowledge  of  anatomy,  phys- 
iologv,  pathology,  and  other  necessary  branches  of  study ;  and, 
having  disciplined  his  mind  in  the  regular  school,  and  in  that  of 
experience,  he  is  expected  to  be  able  to  rejoice  in  the  possession  of 
a  well-trained  mind,  which  enables  him  to  understand  and  inter- 
pret the  physiological  laws  which  preserve  health  and  life  in  the 
constitution  of  organized  beings;  also  to  comprehend  the  why  and 
•vrherefore  of  disease;  to  be  able  to  institute  sanitary  and  other  reg- 
ihlations,  and  to  select  suitable  medicinal  preparations,  in  view  of 
Meeting  the  various  indications  of  each  and  every  form  of  disease. 
And  when  a  man  becomes  the  subject  of  sickness,  and  the  doctor 
is  called  upon  to  exercise  his  skill,  the  latter  receives  valuable  aid, 
in  view  of  making  a  correct  diagnosis,  from  the  patient  and  his 
friends.  Each  can  be  questioned,  and  their  responses  throw  con- 
siderable light  on  the  history  and  nature  of  the  malady.  Xow^ 
as  regards  the  latter  advantages,  they  have  no  parallel  with  the 
men  of  our  craft.  Our  patients  are  deprived  of  the  power  of 
speech,  and  we  can  only  judge  of  the  state  of  their  health,  and 
the  nature  of  their  maladies,  by  signs  revealed  or  elicited  through 
physical  exploration.  We  have  other  difficulties  to  encounter  of 
no  less  magnitude.  For  example,  our  patients  arc  often  located 
in  situations  unfit  for  a  well  animal  to  reside  in,  and  they  do  not 


VI  PREFACE. 

always  receive  that  attention  from  their  owners  which  the  urgency 
of  the  case  demands.  In  fact,  the  good  nursing,  kind  attention, 
etc.,  which  often  proves  of  so  much  value  in  the  restoration  from 
sickness  of  one  of  our  race,  is  often  denied  the  inferior  creature ; 
and  other  matters,  too  numerous  to  mention  at  the  present  time, 
tend  to  show  the  advantages  which  our  brethren  of  a  sister  science 
have  over  us,  and  how  necessary  and  important  it  is  that  a  prac- 
titioner of  our  art  shoukl  be  thorough  master  of  his  profession. 
It  is  a  kimentable  fact  that  the  great  majority  of  our  husband- 
men have  not  hitherto  realized  that  the  superstructure  of  veterin- 
ary science  rests  on  the  same  intelligent  basis  as  that  of  human 
medicine ;  but  such  is  really  the  case.  In  the  language  of  the  la- 
mented Percivall,  we  are  assured  that "  whether  we  prescribe  for 
a  man,  horse,  or  any  animal,  the  laws  of  the  animal  economy  are 
the  same;  all  require  the  same  treatment,"  that  is  to  say,  the 
propositions  for  restoration  are  all  founded  on  the  same  intelligent 
basis. 

The  importance,  therefore,  of  educating  men  for  the  profession, 
and  of  furnishing  reliable  works  for  study,  is  very  evident;  and 
the  necessity  is  further  illustrate:!  in  the  daily  experience  of  those 
persons  who,  as  a  matter  of  necessity,  are  obliged  to  do  the  best 
they  can  for  the  sick  and  dying  of  their  flocks  and  herds,  having 
no  knowledge  of  those  advantages  which  a  thorough  course  of 
training  aifords.  Such  persons  must,  necessarily,  feel  that  they  are 
groping  in  darkness,  and  when  a  ray  of  light  does  flit  across  their 
medical  path,  it  only  serves  to  make  them  better  acquainted  with 
their  own  want  of  skill.  Persons  thus  circumstanced,  unable  i^o 
procure  the  services  of  a  good  veterinary  surgeon,  in  consequence 
of  a  scarcity  of  the  "  genuine  material,"  are  often  compelled  i!:o 
assume  the  responsibility  and  risk  of  medical  attendant ;  and,  no 
doubt,  they  prescribe  with  good  intention  and  honesty  of  purpose, 
but  disease  and  death  has  the  vantage  of  them,  for  they  know  not 
the  modes  of  pathological  warfare,  nor  are  they  acquainted  with 
means  best  calculated  to  insure  a  favorable  issue;  and  they  will 
certainly  hail,  as  a  great  blessing,  any  and  every  effort  to  ini- 
])rove  our  veterinary  literature,  and  thus  diffuse  knowledge  so 
sadly  needed. 

It  is  well  known  that  prior  to  the  introduction  of  a  rational 
system  of  veterinary  medicine  in  the  mother  country,  millions  of 
domestic  animals  were  annually  sacrificed  at  the  shrine  of  igno- 


PREFACE.  VU 

ranee ;  but  science  came  to  the  rescue,  and  now  some  of  the  dis- 
ciples of  St.  Bel,  Coleman,  their  co-workers  and  kindred  spirits, 
can,  by  the  aid  of  their  vast  materia  medica,  their  anaesthetic 
agents,  scalpel,  etc.,  accomplish  unheard  of  wonders.  We  are 
now  working  to  dispel  the  awful  cloud  of  ignorance  and  super- 
stition ^vhIch  has  too  long  lingered  around  the  stable  and  barn. 
We  aim  to  illuminate  the  dark  spots  that  have  existed  for  many 
hundreds  of  years,  and  to  obliterate  the  false  theories  that  have 
been  handed  dt^wn  to  us  by  the  Egyptians  and  Arabians,  and  the 
modern  jaggler.s;  of  this  science. 

There  never  was  a  period  in  the  history  of  the  United  States 
when  the  servi(-o.s  of  educated  veterinarians  were  so  much  needed 
as  at  the  present  time ;  for  the  live  stock  of  this  country  do  not 
enjoy  immunity  from  those  pestiferous  epizootic  maladies  which 
have  formerly  operated  as  a  withering  simoom  on  the  enterprise 
of  British  husbandmen  in  the  breeding  and  raising  of  live  stock. 
For  example :  the  people  of  the  Western  States  complain  that  a 
disease  occasionally  makes  its  appearance  among  cattle,  to  which 
they  have  applied  the  name  of  "  trembles,"  or  "  milk  sickness," 
and  it  has  so  scourged  both  the  superior  and  inferior  orders  of 
creation,  that  the  former  have  often  abandoned  the  old  homestead, 
in  view  of  seeking  a  location  v/here  there  seemed  to  be  some  pros- 
pect of  enjoying  immunity  from  the  pestilential  scourge.  A  con- 
tagious and  infectious  disease  often  prevails  among  swine,  carry- 
ing them  oif  by  hundreds  and  by  thousands,  yet  many  of  us  are  in 
the  dark  regarding  its  cause,  nature,  and  treatment.  Typhoid 
affections,  puerperal  fever,  apoplexy,  and  dropsy  of  the  brain  are 
just  as  prevalent  here  as  in  England.  Miscarriage  or  abortion  is 
fearfully  on  the  increase.  Diseases  of  climatic  origin  are  more 
rife  in  this  country  than  in  England.  This  is,  perhaps,  owing  to 
the  diversity  which  exists  in  the  climatic  temperature  of  our  vast 
territory,  and  to  our  various  faulty  modes  of  management.  In  fact, 
there  is  scarcely  any  disease  known  to  veterinarians  of  the  Old 
World  but  that  has  prevailed  in  the  New. 

We  must  have  reliable  text-books  and  educated  surgeons,  in 
order  to  understand  the  nature  and  treatment  of  the  diseases  in- 
cidental to  domestic  animals.  It  is  not  only  a  matter  of  national, 
but  of  individual,  policy  and  interest ;  and  should  we  view  the 
matter  with  the  eyes  of  business  men,  we  shall  see  that  such  en- 
terprise must  surely  pay. 


Vlll  PREFACE. 

Persons  who  have  paid  any  attention  to  the  rise  and  progress 
of  veterinary  science  in  this  country,  are  painfully  aware  of  its 
great  imperfections,  and  the  author's  object  in  preparing  this  work 
is  to  endeavor  to  lessen  and  remove  them,  by  giving  the  reader 
the  benefit  of  an  experience  which  extends  through  a  period  of 
twenty-five  years. 

In  view  of  furnishing  reliable  information,  and  of  showing  how 
little  of  medicine  is  required  for  the  treatment  of  various  forms 
of  disease,  a  number  of  cases,  recorded  in  the  author's  note-book, 
are  introduced  in  various  parts  of  the  work.  These  cases  may, 
perhaps,  also  give  the  unprejudiced  reader  juster  views  of  the 
relations  of  nature  and  art  to  diseases ;  for  it  is  a  notorious  fact 
that  very  many  well-instructed  persons  of  all  classes  have  hith- 
erto exercised  a  blind  faith  in  the  medical  art  for  the  cure  of  dis- 
ease, when  it  is  a  fact  well  known  to  those  who  practice  rational 
medicine  that  Nature  possesses  vastly  greater  powers  than  Art  in 
curing  diseases.  What  is  here  meant  by  nature,  is  the  conserva- 
tive power  inherent  in  the  living  body.  For  a  better  understand- 
ing of  this  subject,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  works  of  Sir  John 
Forbes,  Oliver  W.  Holmes,  and  Professor  Bigelow. 

In  view  of  aiding  nature  in  the  cure  of  disease,  the  author  has 
introduced  to  the  reader's  attention  a  new  class  of  remedies,  viz. : 
Fluid  Extracts  of  a  sanative  character.  They  have  proved  more 
safe  and  efficacious  in  the  practice  of  rational  medicine  than  all 
the  other  heroic  arms  of  physic. 

These  remedies  have  been  carefully  tested  for  several  years  by 
the  author,  and  those  students  who  have,  from  time  to  time,  ])laced 
themselves  under  his  instruction,  and  the  result  has  been  very 
satisfactory;  otherwise,  they  would  not  be  recommended  in  this 
work. 

Finally,  the  author  feels  it  due  to  himself  to  state  that  the 
almost  constant  occupation  of  his  time,  professionally,  has  given 
him  less  opportunity  than  he  desired  for  the  production  of  this 
work,  yet  he  entertains  a  hope  that  he  has  not  labored  in  vain  ; 
and  thus  this  mite  is  cast  into  the  common  treasury  of  Veterinary 
Science. 

G.  H.  D. 


CONTENTS 


SECTION  I. — The  Rinderpest,  or  Contagious  Pleuro-Pneumonia. 

(Page  15-34.) 

Origin  of  the  Disease  in  Massachusetts — Spread  of  the  Disease — The  Cattla 
Plague  in  Kentucky. 

SECTION  II. — Diseases  of  the  Organs  of  Resi'iration. 

(Page  35-53.) 

Croup — Laryngitis— Bronchitis — Inflammation  of  the  Lungs— Hoose  or  Com- 
mon Catarrh — Epizootic  Catarrh — Consumption — Pharyngitis  (Sore  Throat) — 
Pulmonary  Apoplexy — PleuriBy,  and  Description  of  the  Pleura. 

SECTION  III. — Diseases  of  the  Digestive  Organs. 

(Page  54-87.) 

Description  of  the  (Esophagus — Foreign  Bodies  in  the  Gullet — ^sophagot- 
omy — Laceration  of  the  CEsophagus — Aphthae — Description  of  the  Stomach — 
Rumination — Bloat — Distension  of  tlie  Rumen  with  Food — Gastro-intestinal  In- 
'Inmmation — Dentition  of  Cattle — Synopsis  of  Dentition — Suspended  Ruinina- 
t'on,  or  Loss  of  Cud — Inflammation  of  the  Bowels — Invagination  of  Intestine- 
Diarrhea — Chronic  Diarrhea — Gut  Tie — Internal  Rupture  of  Oxen — F  atuleat 
C'dic — Spasm  of  the  Bowels — Constipation  of  Bowels, 


SECTION  IV.  -Parturition. 

(Page  88-98.) 

Signs  of  Laoor,  or  Parturition — Natural  Labor — Unnatural  Labor — Fore-leg8 
Presenting — One  Fore-leg  Presenting — Head  Presenting  without  the  Legs — Ex- 
traction ct"  a.  Calf  on  its  Back — Hind-legs  Presenting — Breech  Presentation — 
Cleansing,  or  Removal  of  the  After-birth — Back  of  the  Calf  Presenting  at  the 
Brim  of  the  Pelvis — Uterine  Hemorrhage — Birth  of  Twins — Triplets, 
(ix) 


SECTION  '  .—Diseases  of  the  Geserative  Organs. 

(Page  99-113.) 

Constiictioii  of  the  Neck  of  the  Uterus— Embryotomy — Treatment  of  Cowf 
during  Pregnancy — Symptoms  of  Pregnancy — Dropsy  of  the  Womb — PuerperaJ 
Fever — Falling  of  the  Womb. 

SECTION  VI.— Diseases  of  the  Udder,  Teats,  etc. 

(Page  113-124.) 

Mammitis — Stricture  in  Cows'  Teats — Obstruction  at  the  end  of  the  Teata- 
Obstruction  in  the  Teats — Tumors  in  the  Teats — Injuries   to  the  Teats— Sore 
Teats — Chapped  Teats  and  Chafed  Udder — Inversion  of  the  Vagina — Lacera- 
tion of  the  Vagina — Abortion — Inflammatory  Affections  of  the  Hind  Limbs  after 
Calving. 

SECTION  VII.— Diseases  of  the  Urinary  Organs. 

(Page  125-135.) 

Description  of  the  Urinary  System — The  Ureters — The  Bladder — The  Ure- 
thra— Haematuria — Inflammation  of  the  Kidneys— Urinary  Calculi — Calculi  in 
the  Bladder— Black  Water— Red  Water, 

SECTION  VIIL— The  Heart— Its  Functions  and  Diseases. 

(Page  136-149.) 

Description  of  the  Heart— The  Heart's  Function — Diseases  of  the  Heart-- 
Dilatation  of  the  Heart — Pericarditis — Hypertrophy — Endocarditis. 

SECTION  IX. — Diseases  of  the  Eye  and  its  Membranes. 

(Page  150-157.) 

Description  of  the  Eye — Humors  of  the  Eye — Coats  of  the  Eye — Muscles  o^ 
the  Eye  and  Eyelids — Ophthalmia — Foreign  Bodies  in  the  Eyes — Specific  ot 
Periodical  Ophthalmia — Cancer  in  Cattle. 

SECTION  X.— Hernia,  or  Ruptures. 

(Page  158-163.) 

Forms  of  Rupture — Inguinal  Hernia — Strangulated  Hernia — Ventral  Hernia. 

SECTION  XL— Diseases  of  the  Bones 

(Page  164-195.) 

Cachexia  Ossafraga — Bone  Disorders — Mechanism  and  Structure  of  Bones—: 
Composition  of  Bones — Ultimate  Constituents  of  Bones — Dilatation  of  the  Jaw 
Bones — Aby^ess  beneath  the  Periosteum,  at  the  Angle  of  the  Jaw  — ExostosLs.  o» 


coNTi-NTe.  :|i 

Deposit  of  the  Calcareous  Matter  on  the  Surface  of  Bones — Caries,  or  Ulcera- 
tion of  Bones — Preliminary  to  Horn-Ail — On  Sympathy  and  the  Sympatbetio 
Relations  which  exist  in  the  Animal  Economy — Horn-Ail — Tail-Ail. 

SECTION  Xn.— Diseases  of  the  Brain. 

(Page  196-206.) 

Infiammation  of  the  Brain  and  its  Membranes — Sturdy  in  Cattle — Shaking 
Pa  isy-  -Hydi  ophobia. 

SECTION  XIII.— The  Liver  and  its  Diseases. 

(Page  207-215.) 

Description  of  the  Liver — Secretion  of  Bile ;  its  Uses,  etc. — Gall-blmdder— 
Inflammation  of  the  Liver — Hydatids — Jaundice,  or  Yellows. 


SECTION  XIV.— Diseases  of  the  Skin. 

(Page  216-226.) 

Exanthemata,  or  Eruptive  Fever — Mange — Foul  in  the  Foot— Warts — Gad- 
flies— Yoke  Galls — The  Hair  of  Cattle  an  Epidermic  Appendage — Pemphygis 
or  Vesicular  Eruption — Cracks  in  the  Heels  of  Cattle. 

SECTION  XV. — Various  Operations  and  Diseases. 

(Page  227-263.) 

Castration — Enzootic  Milk  Sickness,  or  Trembles — Improved  Method  of  Milk- 
ing— Diseased  Thymus  Gland — Cords  in  Young  Calves — Steamed  and  Cooked 
Food  for  Stock — Clieap  Fodder  for  Cows — Black  Tongue — Fractured  Bones — 
Fractured  Radius  of  a  Calf — Light  in  Barns — Diarrhea  in  Calves — Sprains  or 
Strains — Spaying  Cows, 

SECTION  XVI. — Remarks  on  the  Cattle  Plague. 
(Page  264-301.) 

SECTION  XVII.— Diseases  of  Sheep. 

(Page  302-312.) 

Improvement  in  Sheep — Rot,  or  Hydatids  in  the  Liver — Yellows — Vertigo, 
or  Giddiness — Jackets  or  Blankets  for  Sheep — Foot-rot — Grubs  in  the  Nostrils 
— Ticks — Inflammation  of  the  Eye — Inflammation  of  the  Lniigrs — Common  Ca 
tarrh — Diarrhea  and  Dysentery — Constipation  of  tlie  Bowels — Tympanites,  or 
Wiiulv  Dift»enslon  of  tlie  Intestines  and  Abdomeis. 


ni  CONTENTR. 

SECTION  XVIII.— Diseases  of  Swute. 

(Page  313-342.) 

Effects  of  Impure  Air  on  Swine — Measles  in  Pork — Quinsj — Hernia,  or  Bap 
ture — Intestinal  'Worms — Hog  Cholera — Trichina  Spiralis. 

Guide  TO  Symptoms ...  866 

Glossaby 851 

Table  of  Weights 363 

hromx^ - 8tfi» 


DADD'S 

AMEBICAN  CATTLE  DOCTOR. 


PLEURO-PNEUMONIA.^ 


■WK'K\j'iW.5^>< . 


EXPLANATION. 

Th«  abOTe  cat  represeoti  the  geneoloK7  of  pleuro-pneumonia,  as  it  occurred  in  Maiaacta- 
l«tt«,   a   few  j-eara   ago.    It   commenced  with    Mr.    Chenery'a   herd,  and  spread  in  tb»  abov* 
order.    The  names  are  thoso  of  tho  parties  whose  herds  took  the  diseasu   by  infection  or  cob- 
Uffinn.    (Soe  article  Plouro-pneumonia.) 
(14) 


THE 


AMERICAN  CATTLE  DOCTOE 


SECTIOX   I. 

THE    RINDERPEST,    OR    CONTAGIOUS    PLEURO- 
PNEUMONIA. 

Obioin   op  the   Disease  in    Massacuosetts — Spread   of  the    Disease — Tiri 
Cattle  Plaque  in  Kentockt. 

Origin  of  the  Disease  in  Massachusetts. 

IN  the  early  part  of  the  spring  of  1859,  Mr.  W.  W.  Ciienery 
sent  to  Holland  for  three  cows  and  one  heifer.  They  arrived 
ill  Boston  on  the  23d  of  May.  Two  of  the  cows  were  found  to 
be  in  very  bad  condition.  The  first  died  at  the  end  of  a  week, 
and  was  buried;  the  second  one  died  two  days  afterward,  ami 
was  also  buried.  About  the  26th  of  June  the  third  cow  was  found 
to  be  sick  ;  she  died  the  29th  day  of  June.  The  next  cow  found 
to  be  diseased  was  taken  sick  in  August.  This  cow  was  imported 
from  Holland  in  1852.  She  died  in  about  a  fortnight  from  the 
time  she  was  first  taken.  The  disease  then  spread  among  the 
rest  of  the  herd  owned  by  Mr.  Chenery,  of  which  he  lost  a 
large  number. 

1  examined  the  two  cows  that  were  landed  sick.  They  did  not 
appear  to  manifest  any  symptoms  of  pleuro-pneumonia,  but  seemed 
to  have  suffered  terribly  from  the  efl^ects  of  the  ^'oyage.  They  had 
got  down  during  the  latter  part  of  the  voyage,  and  tl^e  externai 
surface  of  the  body  was  so  bruised  and  abraded  that  some  of  thp 
bones  were  visible.     But  perhaps  Mr.  Chenery's  own  history  of 

(15) 


16  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

the  origin  of  the  disease  in  Massachusetts  may  be  the  best  that  can 
be  given,  which  I  here  present  to  the  reader : 

Boston,  Mass.,  March  7,  1860. 

Dear  Sir:  In  compliance  with  your  request,  I  take  pleasure  in  fur- 
nishing you  a  succinct  account  of  my  last  importation  of  cattle  from 
Holland,  and  also  of  the  disease  that  subsequently  prevailed  in  my 
herd  at  the  Highland  Farm,  in  Belmont,  as  is  now  generally  supposed, 
in  consequence  of  that  importation. 

It  may  be  remarked  that  I  had  previously  made  two  importations 
from  Holland,  and  the  extraordinary  superiority  of  the  animals  received 
from  that  source,  in  comparison  either  with  our  native  or  any  of  the 
foreign  breeds  heretofore  imported,  induced  me  to  increase  my  stock 
of  Dutch  cattle  by  further  importations,  rather  than  await  the  natural 
increase  from  those  already  imported.  Accordingly,  in  Decembei, 
1858,  I  transmitted  an  order  to  my  correspondents  in  Schiedam,  Hol- 
land, instructing  them  to  employ  a  competent  person  expressly  to  pro- 
ceed to  the  north  of  Holland  and  make  selections  of  the  best  animals 
that  could  be  obtained,  without  regard  to  the  expense.  Following  my 
instructions,  four  cows  were  procured  from  Purmerend  and  the  Beem- 
ster,  and  were  duly  shipped  at  Rotterdam,  on  board  the  barque  "  J.  (!. 
Humphreys,"  which  vessel  sailed  from  that  port  early  in  April,  and 
arrived  here  on  the  23d  of  May,  1859. 

Upon  examination,  the  cows  were  found  to  be  in  an  extremely  bad 
condition — very  much  bruised  and  emaciated — one  of  them,  as  the 
mate  of  the  barque  stated,  not  having  been  on  her  feet  during  the 
twenty  days  preceding  her  arrival,  while  another  one  was  totally  una- 
ble to  walk,  and  these  two  animals  were  accordingly  carried  to  the  farm 
in  wagons.  The.  remaining  two  were  driven  out.  Deeming  it  impos- 
sible for  the  first-mentioned  cow  to  recover,  she  was,  on  the  31st  of 
May,  slaughtered,  and  on  the  2d  of  June  following  the  second  cow 
died.  At  that  time,  in  common  with  every  one  knowing  the  facts  in 
the  case,  I  was  so  fully  persuaded  that  the  bad  condition  of  these  ani- 
mals was  caused  by  neglect  on  the  voyage,  that  I  libeled  the  vessel, 
and  went  through  a  course  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars'  worth  of 
law  in  my  endeavors  to  obtain  indemnity  for  the  loss ;  but  the  law  is 
uncertain,  and  the  barque  went  on  her  way.  My  mind,  however,  re- 
mains unchanged  with  regard  to  the  treatment  the  animals  received  on 
the  voyage.  The  third  cow  of  this  importation  seemed  to  be  doing 
well  until  about  the  20th  of  June,  when  she  became  sick,  and  died  in 
ten  days  after.  The  fourth  cow,  "  Lady  Beemster^"  has,  down  to  this 
time,  shown  no  indications  of  sickness,  but  is,  on  the  contrary,  in  • 
thriving  condition. 


RINDERPEST,  OR  CONTAGIOUS  PLEUKO-rNEUMOiMA.  17 

Early  in  the  month  of  August  following,  symptoms  of  disease  were 
observable  in  the  Dutch  cow,  "Lady  Louise''  (imported  in  1852). 
She  died  on  ihc  20th  of  the  same  month.  About  this  time  several 
other  animals  were  taken  sick,  in  rapid  succession,  and  then  it  was  that 
the  idea  was  first  advanced  that  the  disease  was  identical  with  that 
known  in  Europe  as  "  epizootic  pleuro-pneumonia."  From  that  date 
every  possible  precaution  was  taken  to  prevent  the  ipread  of  the  sup 
posed  distemper,  strict  orders  having  been  given  that  no  animals  should 
be  allowed  to  leave  the  farm,  nor  any  strange  cattle  to  come  upon  tlie 
premises.  A  temporary  building  was  erected,  in  a  pasture  at  consider- 
able distance  from  the  farm  barn,  to  which  the  animals  not  infected  were 
removed,  and  disinfecting  agents  were  used  about  the  premises,  etc. 

The  following  extract  from  my  letter-book,  in  answer  to  an  applica- 
tion for  stocK  during  the  prevalence  of  the  disease,  will  serve  to  show 
my  views  with  regard  to  it  at  that  time  :  "  I  am  at  present  obliged  to 
decline  any  applications  for  stock,  owing  to  an  epidemic  disease  in  my 
herd.  The  disease  is  that  known  as  '  pleuro-pneumonia,'  and  I  have 
already  lost  seventeen  head,  and  have  ten  more  very  sick.  I  am  using 
every  precaution  to  prevent  the  disease  from  spreading,  and  you  will, 
of  course,  see  the  propriety  of  my  refusing  to  allow  any  animal  to  leave 
the  farm  until  the  infection  has  ceased." 

It  is  manifest  that  the  means  used  to  prevent  the  spread  of  the  dis- 
temper have  so  far  proved  eminently  successful,  inasmuch  as,  notwith- 
standing I  have  lost  some  thirty  animals  (nearly  half  of  my  whole 
herd),  there  has  not  been  a  single  case  of  the  disease  elsewhere  in  the 
neighborhood  of  my  fiirm. 

As  there  seems  to  be  an  impression  abroad  that  the  disease  in  my 
case  was  confined  exclusively  to  the  Dutch  stock,  I  would  remark  that 
such  is  not  the  fact ;  that,  on  the  contrary,  they  haveji  comparatively, 
been  more  exempt  from  it  than  any  other  breed.  It  is  not.  however, 
confined  to  any  particular  breed,  or  to  any  age  or  sex,  as  the  full-growK 
ox,  the  mature  cow,  and  the  young  calf  have  been  alike  prostrated  by 
it ;  and  of  the  animals  lost,  five  were  thorough-bred  Dutch,  five  Dur- 
ham, one  Ayrshire,  one  Guernsey,  two  Jerseys,  five  Devons,  two  natives 
(all  the  natives  on  the  farm),  and  the  remainder  were  grade  Dutch. 

There  has  been  no  new  case  of  sickness  in  my  herd  since  the  death 
l»f  th'  mammoth  cow  "  Lady  Washington,"  which  occurred  on  the  8th 
of  January,  and  I  am,  therefore,  induced  to  believe  that,  so  far  as  my 
animals  are  concerned,  the  disease  has  run  its  course. 

From  the  foregoing  remarks,  it  will  be  perceived  that  some  months 
Ago,  when  the  disease  was  raging,  I  believed  it  to  be  infectious  or  con- 
tagious ;  but  I  confess  that  more  recently  the  conviction  has  forced 
lUelf  upon  me   that  it  was  of   in  entirely  local  character  ;   that   tb? 


1?  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

lungr  of  the  cattle  had  become  diseased  by  breathing  carbonic  acid 
gas,  generated  in  the  cow-house  in  consequence  of  insufficient  ventila 
tion.  The  recent  developments  with  regard  to  the  spread  of  the  disease 
in  North  Brookfield  and  vicinity — in  tracing  its  origin  to  the  calves 
that  went  from  my  farm  in  June  last — together  with  the  information  I 
have  just  received  in  a  letter  from  Holland  upon  the  subject,  will.  I 
fear,  force  me  back  again  to  the  belief  that  it  is  the  veritable  European 
Hcourge. 

With  regard  to  the  treatment  of  the  disease,  I  can  cnly  say  thai 
several  of  our  most  eminent  veterinary  surgeons  have  availed  them- 
selves of  the  opportunity  to  study  the  disease,  by  post  mortem  exami- 
nations and  otherwise,  and  are,  doubtless,  competent  to  give  valuable 
information  upon  the  subject.  My  own  private  opinion,  based  upon 
costly  experience,  is,  that  whenever  an  animal  becomes  really  sick  with 
this  distemper,  the  best  teatment  is  to  slaughter  and  bury  forthwith. 

In  concluding  this  long  letter,  I  beg  to  say  that,  if  it  shall  prove 
that  through  my  efforts  to  improve  the  breeds  of  neat  cattle,  I  have 
been  the  means  of  introducing  this  disease  into  the  country,  I  am  sure 
no  one  can  possibly  regret  it  more  sincerely  than  myself  At  the  same 
time,  I  feel  some  consolation  in  believing  that,  provided  the  disease 
can  be  restricted  to  any  thing  like  its  present  limits,  the  benefits  con- 
ferred by  the  introduction  of  the  Dutch  cattle  hero  will  more  than 
outweigh  the  losses  incurred  by  the  introduction  of  the  disease. 
Respectfully, 

WiNTHROP  W.  ChENEBT. 


Spread  of  the  Disease. 

The  disease  •was  introduced  into  North  Brookfield  from  Bel- 
mont. Mr.  C.  Stoddard,  a  young  rnan  of  North  BrookfielJ, 
purchased  of  Mr.  Chenery  three  calves.  After  arriving  (by 
rail)  at  North  Brookfield,  they  were  driven  toward  the  j)laoe  of 
de.5tination  (about  five  miles).  On  the  way,  one  of  the  calves  waa 
observed  to  falter,  and  at  the  end  of  the  journey  seemed  to  be 
quite  sick.  In  two  or  three  days,  the  father  of  the  young  man 
took  the  calf  away  to  his  own  barn  for  treatment.  In  this  barn 
were  about  forty  head  of  cattle.  The  calf  growing  no  better,  the 
son  took  it  back  again  to  his  own  residence.  In  about  ten  days 
it  died.  Soon  the  senior  Stoddard  observed  that  one  of  his  oxen 
was  sick,  it  soon  died.  Two  weeks  after,  a  second  was  taken  sick 
and  died.  Finally,  in  the  course  of  a  short  time  he  had  lost  eight 
oxei  and  cow.s.     Young  Stoddard  lo.st  no  animal  by  the  infection 


RINDERPEST,  OR  CONTAGIOUS  PLEURO-PNEUMONIA.  19 

at  that  time.  He  sold,  however,  eleven  heifers,  and  retained  nine 
of  the  most  valuable  himself.  These  nine  were  four  oxen  and 
five  young  cattle.  The  four  he  took  to  his  father,  three  of  the 
others  to  his  uncle,  and  the  remaining  two  he  left  with  his  father- 
in-law.  It  was  finally  discovered  that  wherever  these  animalij 
went  they  scattered  the  infection,  without  a  single  failure,  show- 
ing that  the  disease  was  of  a  contagious  character.  It  turned  out, 
finally,  tha^.  the  herds  of  both  father  and  son  were  badly  diseased. 
Out  of  the  nine  formerly  belonging  to  the  son,  seven  were  the 
subjects  of  pleuro-pneumonia.  The  elder  Stoddard  lost  fourteen 
of  his  animals  before  the  commissioners  for  the  extirpation  of  the 
pest  were  appointed.  The  elder  Stoddard  kept  about  eight  oxen, 
which  he  employed  in  teaming.  He  was  drawing  some  lumber, 
and  stopped  over  night  at  a  neighbor's  named  Needham.  The 
disease  was  communicated,  and  Mr.  Needham  finally  lost  his  whole 
herd.  Many  died,  while  others  were  destroyed  by  order  of  the 
commissioners.  Finally,  Mr.  Stoddard  sold  an  animal  to  Mr. 
Woodis,  of  New  Braintree,  who  had  twenty-three  fine  cows. 
Seven  or  eight  died  before  the  commissioners  got  there,  and  the 
whole  herd  had  to  be  condemned.  Next,  Mr.  Stoddard  sold  a 
yoke  of  cattle  to  Mr.  Olmstead.  At  the  end  of  five  days  they 
had  infected  the  whole  herd.  Finally,  these  cattle  came  into  the 
hands  of  Mr.  Doane.  They  were  put  in  with  twenty-two  yoke 
of  cattle,  and  employed  a  day  and  a  half  in  moving  a  building 
from  Oakham  to  North  Brookfield.  It  was  afterward  proved  that 
l;he  whole  of  these  cattle  took  the  infection.  Belonging,  as  they 
^iid,  to  eleven  different  herds,  they  carried  the  infection  to  eleven 
different  farms,  and  thus,  by  contagion  or  infection,  the  cattle  for 
miles  around  became  the  subjects  of  pleuro-pneumonia.  The 
disease  assumed  such  proportions  that  the  commissioners  had  not 
funds  sufficient  (ten  thousand  dollars)  to  perform  the  operations 
required  by  law — namely,  extirpation.  And  here  it  may  be  proper 
to  inform  the  reader  that  the  commissioners  had  no  power  to 
order  an  attempt  at  medicinal  treatment.  They  were  ordered  to 
extirpate  the  malady — to  kill  and  bury  all  infected  herds; 'and 
this  has,  finally,  proved  to  be,  both  in  this  and  other  countries, 
the  cheapest  way  of  getting  rid  of  contagious  pleuro-pneumonia. 

The  following  is  a  brief  record  of  the  autopsies  made  by  veter- 
b  ary  surgeons  employed  by  the  State  of  Massachusetts : 

Autopsy  1. — This  cow  appeared  badly.     She  coughed,  but,  i* 


-'->  .  OADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

was  said,  ate  well.  The  posterior  lobe  of  the  lung  adhered  to  the 
diaphragm,  was  indurated,  aud  contained  a  cyst,  in  which  was  a 
very  small  quantity  of  pus  and  a  mass  of  detached  lung  of  the 
size  of  a  quart  measure.  This  was  connected  with  the  main  por- 
tion of  the  lung  by  bronchi,  some  of  which  had  been  cut  off  in 
euch  a  manner  as  to  admit  air  into  the  cyst.  The  mass  was  offen  • 
sixe,  friable,  and,  on  incision,  did  not  present  the  bright,  mottled^ 
organized  appearance  of  similar  masses  lying  in  air-tight  cysta 
There  was  no  serum  in  the  chest. — Dr.  Maktin,  April  12,  1860, 

Autopsy  2. — An  ox,  7  years  old.  The  lung  was  extensively 
and  firmly  adherent  in  various  parts,  and  almost  "as  hard  as  a 
stone."  On  incision,  there  was  found  a  large  cyst,  containing  pu» 
and  lymph. — Drs.  Dadd  aud  Thayer,  April  19,  1860. 

Autopsy  3. — A  steer,  3  years  old.  The  owner  said  that  thw 
animal  was  but  slightly,  if  at  all  sick.  The  left  lung  was  adher- 
ent to  the  pleura  costalis  and  diaphragm.  On  incision,  there  wa» 
found,  in  the  middle,  a  large  cyst,  containing  pulmonary  tissue. 
The  right  lung  was  adherent,  but  its  substance  healthy. — Dvj. 
Dadd  and  Thayer,  April  19,  1860. 

Autopsy  4. — A  steer,  2  years  old.  Marked  adhesion  of  the 
j>osterior  superior  portion  of  the  lung  to  the  diaphragm.  Some 
consolidation  of  the  lung.  The  right  lung  contained  a  cyst,  in 
which  was  a  mass  not  entirely  separated. — Drs.  Dadd  and 
Thayer,  April  19,  1860. 

Autopsy  5. — A  cow,  8  years  old.  The  owner  said  that  this 
animal  was  one  of  the  most  healthy  in  his  herd.  At  the  apex  of 
the  left  lung  was  a  very  large  slough.  There  was  also  red  hepc- 
tization. — Drs.  Dadd  and  Thayer,  April  19,  1860. 

Autopsy  6. — ^An  ox,  7  years  old,  owned  by  Curtis  Stoddard,  and 
exposed  to  the  Chenery  calf  during  the  illness  of  the  latter.  The 
superior  anterior  portion  of  the  right  lung  was  much  enlarged, 
and  contained  a  large  cyst,  in  which  was  a  quantity  of  pus  and  a 
mass  of  detached  pulmonary  tissue.  Left  lung  adherent  to  tli< 
diaphragm. — Drs.  Dadd  and  Tyler,  April  20,  1860. 

Autopsy  7. — The  anterior  lobe  of  the  right  lung  adhered  to  ine 
sternum.  A  portion  of  the  pulmonary  tissue  was  separated  and 
contained  in  a  cyst. — Drs.  Bates,  Dadd,  and  Thayer,  April 
21,  1860. 

Autopsy  8. — A  yearling  heifer.  Much  serum  was  found  in  the 
ctiest,  and   the  pleural  surfaces  were  extensively  adherent.     Tb» 


RINDERPEST,  OR  CONTAGIOUS  PLEURO-PNEUMONIA.  21 

substance  of  the  right  lung  was  completely  marbled,  some  parta 
having  suppurated,  while  others  were  only  indurated. — Dr.  Ty- 
LEE,  April  27,  1860. 

Autopsy  9. — Killed  a  cow  which  had  been  sick  nineteen  days. 
She  was  feeble;  had  but  little  appetite;  diarrhea,  cough,  and 
shortness  of  breath ;  hair  rough,  etc.  Percussion  dull  all  over 
the  left  side  of  the  chest,  with  absence  of  normal  respiration.  The 
left  pleural  cavity  contained  several  gallons  of  serum.  Over  the 
costal  pleura  was  *a  firm  layer  of  lymph,  resembling  the  velvety 
parts  of  tripe.  The  whole  lung  was  indurated,  especially  at  its 
base,  and  brittle,  like  liver.  No  pus.  iight  side  and  lung 
healthy.— Dr.  Martin,  April  11,  1860. 

Autopsy  10. — Killed  a  cow,  10  years  old.  Sick  since  January, 
Dullness  over  the  left  side.  On  opening  the  chest,  there  flowed 
from  it  a  stream  of  fetid  matter  as  thick  as  tar.  Strong  adhesions 
to  the  ribs.  In  the  lung  was  a  large  tumor,  enveloped  in  a  cyst, 
or  sac.  Right  lung  indurated. — Drs.  Dadd,  Thayer,  and  Ty- 
ler, April  19,  1860. 

Autopsy  11. — Killed  a  calf,  3  weeks  old.  In  the  right  pleural 
cavity  was  a  quart  of  serum.  Lymph,  easily  separated,  was  spread 
over  the  surface  of  the  lung.  The  left  lung  adhered  to  the  ribs, 
sternum,  and  pericardium. — Drs.  Dadd,  Thayer,  and  Tyler, 
April  19,  1860. 

Autopsy  12. — Killed  a  cow,  10  years  old,  which  had  been  sick 
three  or  four  months.  The  posterior  superior  portions  of  the  right 
lung  adhered  so  strongly  to  the  ribs  and  diaphragm,  that  the 
knife  was  necessary  for  their  separation.  On  opening  the  poste- 
rior part  of  the  lung,  a  detached  mass  was  found,  very  soil,  sur- 
rounded by  pus,  and  contained  in  a  sac.  Left  lung  healthy, — Drs. 
Bates,  Dadd,  and  Thayer,  April  21,  1860. 

Autopsy  13. — Left  lung  healthy,  but  slight  adhesions  to  dia- 
phragm. Right  lung  firmly  adherent  to  the  diaphragm.  In  il 
v>'a;3  found  a  mass  of  consolidated  lung,  not  entirely  separated. — 
Drs.  Bates,  Dadd,  and  Thayer,  April  21,  1860. 

Autopsy  14. — Killed  a  calf,  4  weeks  old.  Right  lung  inflamed. 
Left  chest  filled  with  serum.  Lung  covered  with  lymph. — Drs. 
Bates,  Dadd,  and  Thayer,  April  21,  1860. 

Autopsy  15. — Killed  a  cow,  9  years  old,  and  mother  of  the  calf. 
In  the  right  lung  was  a  cyst  of  the  size  of  a  pullet's  egg,  filled 
with  pus.     The  left  lung  contained  a. small  cyst,  filled  with  tho 


22  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

same.  Heart  flabby. — Drs.  Bates,  Dadd,  and  Thavir,  April 
21,  1860. 

Autopsy  16. — Killed  a  stag  that  was  in  the  "  big  team."  Three 
months  before,  he  had  been  sick  for  four  weeks,  but  liad  recovered, 
and  had  been  working  very  hard.  Serum  in  the  right  pleural 
cavity.  Lung  indurated,  and  adherent  throughout  so  strongly  to 
the  ribs  and  diaphragm,  that  it  was  necessary  to  cut  or  scrai)e  it 
off.     In  this  lung  was  a  small  cyst. — Examined  May  9,  1860. 

Autopsy  17. — Killed  the  other  stag.  Left  lung  useless.  Serum 
in  the  chest.     Right  lung  in  the  acute  inflammatory  stage. 

These  stags  were  taken  December  3,  1860,  in  exchange  for  a 
yoke  of  oxen  sold  at  the  same  time  to  William  F.  Doane,  and 
kept  with  Olmstead's  diseased  herd.  They  were  in  the  "  big 
team"  December  19. — Examined  May  9,  1860. 

Many  other  autopsies  were  made  by  members  of  our  sister  pro  • 
fession,  human  medicine,  and  the  disease  was  always  found  to  b« 
seated  within  the  chest.  It  was  not  of  so  formidable  or  malig- 
nant a  character  as  it  has  proved  to  be  in  some  parts  of  Europe, 
and  probably  this  is  owing  to  the  fact,  if  fact  it  be,  that  in  the 
•transplantation  of  the  disease  from  Holland  to  this  country  it  has 
undergone  some  modification. 

From  my  own  experience,  I  am  led  to  believe  that  the  Hollaml 
cattle  inherit  in  their  systems  an  idiosyncrasy  or  predisposition  to 
pleuro-pneumonia,  and  that  when  the  circumstances  are  favorable 
for  its  development — namely,  impure  air  and  bad  management — 
the  latent  disease  to  which,  by  virtue  of  their  constitution  they 
are  liable,  is  thus  fanned  into  a  flame.  Being  in  its  character 
contagious,  it  then  spreads,  according  to  the  laws,  or  after  the 
fashion  which  govern  or  obtain,  in  other  epizootic  contagious 
maladies.  This  must  have  been  the  case  as  regards  Mr.  Chen- 
ery's  herd.  Before  his  Dutch  stock  left  Holland,  they  were  care- 
fully examined  by  competent  surgeons,  well  acquainted  with  the 
national  disease  pleuro-pneumonia,  and  a  clean  bill  of  health  was 
rendered.  It  was  also  ascertained  that  the  malady  was  not  then 
prevailing  in  the  localities  where  the  animals  were  purchased ; 
hence  it  manifested  itself  in  the  manner  here  described.  The 
same  is  true  as  regards  its  introduction  into  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope  The  animal  was  in  perfect  healti  on  leaving  Holland, 
but  on  arriving  at  the  place  of  destination  manifested  the  disease, 
end  communicated  it  to  others. 


RINDERPEST,  OR  CONTAGIOUS  PLEURO-PNEUMONIA.  2'6 

The  history  of  the  disease  in  South  Africa  is  quite  interesting , 
hence  I  introduce  the  following  testimony,  as  given  before  a  com- 
mittee of  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts,  by  Rev.  D.  Lindley, 
lately  a  missionary  in  South  Africa.     He  said : 

"  The  disease,  whatever  be  its  name,  and  it  has  different  names, 
vi-as  introduced  into  South  Africa  a  few  years  ago.  It  was  intro- 
^.ared  from  Holland,  imported  in  the  body  of  a  bull.  A  gentle- 
L.an  in  Cape  Town,  wishing  to  improve  his  stock,  made  that 
importation,  and  with  it  that  disease  which  has  been  to  South 
Africa  the  severest  scourge  that  has  ever  fallen  on  its  property 
interest.  It  was  about  six  weeks  after  the  animal  landed  (he 
having  been  on  board  the  vessel  on  the  passage  about  two  months) 
before  any  sign  of  sickness  appeared  in  him.  At  the  time,  it  was 
not  suspected  that  the  disease  was  the  lung  contagion,  so  long 
knowr  in  Holland.  However,  he  died.  He  communicated  that 
disease  to  a  considerable  number  of  cattle,  and  before  the  people 
became  aware  of  the  evil  that  threatened  them,  it  had  scattered 
about  them  very  extensively. 

"  The  question  may  arise  in  the  mind  of  the  committee,  Why» 
was  it  not  at  once  exterminated  there,  as  you  propose  to  have  it 
here?  The  answer  to  this  question  will  be  found  in  this  statement 
that  I  must  make,  in  order  that  you  may  understand  the  circum- 
stances of  that  country.  You  will  imagine  New  England,  and  a 
great  part  of  the  United  States,  divested  of  its  woods,  its  forests, 
leaving,  here  and  there,  thickets  and  jungles,  and  a  grass  country 
that  is  without  fences  or  any  inclosures,  and  all  this  country  spread 
over  with  cattle  by  the  thousand  (for  the  property  of  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  country  consists  in  cattle  and  in  sheep).  I  have  seen 
1,600  in  one  herd,  but  generally  the  herds  are  from  one  hundred 
to  five  hundred.  In  those  parts  of  the  country  where  the  lion.'? 
and  tigers  have  been  exterminated,  these  cattle  are  allowed  to  roam 
night  and  day,  where  they  please,  and  they  wander  considerable 
distances,  sometimes  miles  around.  In  addition  to  that,  all  the 
produce  of  the  country  that  is  brought  to  market,  whether  to  supply 
the  city  of  Cape  Town  or  Port  Elizabeth,  or  other  towns  lying 
along  the  coast,  is  brought  down  from  the  interior  in  large  wagons, 
drawn  by  oxen.  All  the  goods  imported  into  the  country  and 
taken  inland  are  conveyed  on  these  wagons,  drawn  by  oxen ;  and 
*c  each  wagon  the  custom  of  the  country  gives  six  pairs  of  oxen. 


24  DADDS  VETEEIXAIU   MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

The  (  ountry  is  large,  it  being  from  Cape  Town  to  the  extremity 
of  any  civilization  in  the  interior,  twelve  hundred  miles,  and  across 
the  plains  to  where  I  live,  twelve  hundred  miles  more.  Well,  this 
country  is  passed  through,  up  and  down,  crosswise,  and  backward 
and  forward,  by  hundreds  of  wagons  and  thousands  of  cattle  every 
day.  They  have  no  railroads,  no  rivers — no  other  way  of  trans- 
porting goods  from  one  point  to  another  but  this  ox-wagon.  Well, 
they  art  great  sheep-raisers  in  this  country,  having  five  to  ten 
thousand  sheep  in  a  flock,  and  I  have  seen  as  many  as  fourteen 
thousand  in  one  flock.  Their  clips  of  wool  are  all  sent  down  in 
these  wagons  to  the  coast. 

"  In  a  country  of  this  kind,  where  there  are  so  many  cattle,  and 
where  every  thing  is  done  by  means  of  cattle,  and  they  are  trav- 
eling night  and  day,  there  is  no  possibility  of  killing  out  this  dis- 
ease by  extirpation.  The  seed  had  been  so  widely  disseminated 
before  the  people  knew  what  the  matter  was,  that  such  a  system 
was  looked  upon  as  hopeless,  and  the  Government  adopted  no 
measures  to  stay  it,  and  every  man  was  left  to  look  out  for  his  own 
interests.  I  will  say  that,  after  it  had  got  fairly  spread  abroad 
to  a  considerable  extent,  the  inhabitants  very  generally  resorted  to 
inoculation ;  and  I  will  say,  in  passing,  that  we  are  indebted  to 
that  for  about  all  the  cattle  we  have  left.  We  should  have  been 
flat  on  the  ground,  and  no  man  could  have  got  to  the  coast  with 
his  products  or  returned  with  his  merchandise.  Inoculation  has 
saved  us  what  we  have,  after  six  years.  The  disease  was  still  at 
work  when  I  came  away,  but  it  was  jnore  under  subjection.  It 
has  killed  hundreds  and  thousands  of  cattle,  and  I  can  assure 
you,  gentlemen,  that  where  it  has  come  into  a  flock  it  has  not 
left  more  than  five  out  of  a  hundred.  I  was  happily  surprised 
when  I  heard  Dr.  Loring  state  that  in  the  past  year,  in  this  State, 
not  more  than  twenty  per  cent,  had  died. 

"  With  us,  when  an  animal  is  known  as  having  the  disease,  we 
look  upon  it  as  already  dead;  and  I  can  aflirm,  without  hesita* 
tion,  that  where  it  has  got  into  a  lierd  of  cattle,  not  more  than 
five  out  of  a  hundred  have  been  spared.  Occasionally  one  hai 
pasied  through,  and  has  not  had  the  disease  at  all ;  and  a  fe;^•,  on 
the  other  hand — two  or  three  in  a  hundred — have  recovered,  and 
no  more.  I  know  of  one  man  who  had  five  hundred  head  of 
cattle.  The  disease  got  in  among  them,  and,  finally,  he  had  but 
five  loft      If  I  speak  with  emphasis,  it  is  because  I  have  had  sad 


RINDERPEST,  OR  CONTAGIOUS  PLEURO-PNEUiMONlA.  25 

«xperience ;  and  I  have  been  afraid  that  the  good  citizens  of  Mas  - 
eachusetts  might  not  be  aware  of  the  evil  that  I  do  most  firmly 
believe  threatens  their  property  interest  more  than  any  thing  that 
€ver  threatened  it  yet. 

"  The  disease  has  spread  in  every  direction  from  Holland,  and 
fcy  contagion.  I  will  give  you  facts  on  this  matter  of  contagion. 
Well-meaning  men — men  of  science,  and  who  hold  high  and  in- 
^iiential  stations — said  it  was  not  contagious;  that  it  was  impos- 
sible for  a  Jung  disease  to  be  contagious,  and,  through  their  influ- 
<-;uce,  some  herds  suffered  that  might,  to  my  certain  knowledge, 
have  been  saved.  One  of  the  commissioners  appointed  was  a 
man  of  some  science,  and  he  said,  '  Poh !  poh !  it  can  not  be 
contageous,'  and  the  cattle  were  left,  and  the  consequence  is,  it 
has  spread  over  all  the  country  around  tliem. 

"  I  will  tell  you  how  the  disease  came  to  my  particular  neighbor- 
hood. A  native  went  out  as  a  peddler,  over  the  Cathumba  Mount- 
ains, into  the  interior,  nearly  three  hundred  miles.  There  he 
took  cattle  in  payment  for  goods.  He  brought  down  a  herd  of 
oxen  to  the  eastern  coast.  While  on  the  way  down,  some  of  his 
oxen  became  sick,  and  he  quietly  put  them  out  of  the  way;  for 
he  could  travel  one  or  two  days,  perhaps,  and  not  see  a  single 
person,  and  the  dead  cattle  were  not  likely  to  attract  attention. 
He  had  that  failing  which  we  can  pardon  in  others,  as  we  see  it  in 
ourselves,  that  he  cared  a  little  more  for  himself  than  he  did  for 
his  neighbors.  He  put  the  sick  oxen  out  of  the  way,  and  brought 
down  the  rest  and  sold  them.  They  were  bought  by  a  gentleman 
who  had  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  oxen.  The  peddler's 
■cattle,  looking  apparently  well,  were  put  into  that  herd.  Pres- 
ently the  disease  broke  out.  It  was  in  that  instance  that  this 
■^.loctor  had  the  influence  to  prevent  the  slaughter  of  that  herd,  be- 
cause he  said  the  affection  was  not  contagious.  These  cattle  were 
running  about  in  the  neighborhood — out  on  the  plain  twenty 
tniles  square,  without  fence  and  without  tree,  save  here  and  there 
a  bush — where  were  grazing  thousands  of  cattle,  and  they  ran 
ju«t  where  they  pleased.  From  this  flock  the  contagion  wag 
•eommunicated  to  all  the  cattle  in  the  region.  Oxen  were  travel  - 
ing  through  the  country  every  day  (at  least  a  hundred  passing  iu 
a  day),  and  in  that  way  it  was  carried  widely  through  the  country 
Until  it  was  brought  from  a  contaminated  region  in  the  interior 
hy  these  oxen,  the  disease  had  never  been  within  threp  hundred 


Jt)  DADDS  VETERINARY    MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

miles  of  us.  I  might  give  a  thousand  facts  just  equal  t:  thib, 
but  I  am  mentioning  what  occurred  in  my  neighbc  rhood. 

"The  disease  had  not  crossed  to  the  northward,  to  the  Ungani 
River,  until  this  happened  :  A  man  wished  to  convey  a  boat  from 
Port  Natal  to  a  place  about  sixty  miles  to  the  northward.  He 
put  tne  boat  on  a  wagon,  and  took  his  six  yoke  of  oxen  to  draw  it. 
He  traveled  one  day,  and  camped  just  outside  of  a  village  through 
which  he  had  passed.  In  the  morning  he  found  one  of  his  oxea 
sick.  He  had  camped  on  a  piece  of  ground  where  cattle  grazed 
every  day,  and  in  a  place  where  the  people  had  thought  them- 
selves safe.  Finding  his  ox  sick,  he  quietly  took  him  and  his 
mate  out  of  the  wagon,  and,  leaving  them  there,  started  on. 
These  oxen  remained  through  the  day,  and  mixed  with  the  many 
cattle  owned  in  that  village.  The  second  day  after  they  had  bee  i 
there,  it  was  discovered  that  there  was  a  sick  ox  in  the  field.  The 
inhabitants  were  all  out  at  once.  They  killed  the  ox,  and,  froi.i 
the  description,  they  saw  that  he  had  the  disease  they  had  dreaded. 
They  immediately  inoculated  their  cattle,  and  saved  a  goodly 
number  of  them.  Now,  in  regard  to  that,  I  wish  to  make  this 
statement.  I  made  a  statement  which  was  honestly  reported,  I 
suppose,  but  mistakenly  as  a  statement,  that  they  had  saved  ninet/ 
per  cent. ;  in  some  instances  not  more  than  thirty  per  cent.  B(.- 
tween  this  and  ninety  is  probably  the  average  percentage  saved. 
In  this  case,  I  mentioned  that  there  was  a  clear,  distinct  instance 
where  the  sickness  had  been  brought  from  the  interior  three  hun- 
dred miles,  and  in  the  last  case  it  was  carried  twenty  miles.  In 
another  instance,  two  natives  were  trading,  and  brought  the  dis- 
ease from  the  country  where  they  went,  two  hundred  miles,  and 
set  it  down  in  a  perfectly  healthy  region,  in  a  herd  of  about  eighty 
cattle,  and  there  it  spread,  and  they  were  every  one  carried  off. 

"  Another  fact,  and  one  with  which  I  had  to  do  myself.  A  na- 
tive, a  stupid  heathen,  was  working  for  an  Englishman  in  au 
infected  region.  He  took  his  pay  in  cattle — two  calves,  I  think, 
a  year  or  a  year  and  a  half  old.  He  carried  them  into  a  healthy 
district,  Avhere  the  disease  had  been  kept  out,  and  within  twenty 
miles  of  which  it  was  not  known.  Presently  these  calves  fell 
sick  and  died,  and  the  cattle  with  which  they  were  placed  began 
to  be  sick.  I  had  in  my  service  a  young  man  belonging  to  thnt 
village,  which  was  twelve  miles  from  where  I  lived.  A  messenger 
came  to  this  young  m«n  to  say,  'Your  cattle  are  sick.'     When  J 


KLNDERPEST,  OR  CONTAGIOUS  PLEUKO-rNEUMONIA.  27 

heard  that,  I  began  to  inquire  if  any  cattle  had  been  brought  fron-' 
within  the  infected  region  to  his  kraal.  They  said  such  an  one 
(meaning  the  native  before  mentioned)  had  been  working  with  a 
man,  and  taken  two  head  of  cattle  for  his  pay.  He  came  back, 
a  little  more  than  two  months  ago,  with  these  cattle,  and  they 
took  sick  and  died,  and  now  our  other  cattle  are  sick.  I  saw  at 
once  what  the  matter  was ;  for  I  knew  that  the  region  where  these 
two  cattle  were  taken  from  was  wholly  contaminated.  I  said, 
'  Your  cattle  will  all  die;  you  ought  to  tell  your  neighbors  to  keep 
(heir  cattle  away  from  you.'  I  asked  him,  further,  if  his  cattle 
had  mixed  with  other  cattle,  and  he  said,  '  There  are  three  kraals 
that  have  mixed  with  ours ;  so  it  was  too  late,  and  the  result  was, 
they  all  died.  I  told  the  young  man  whom  I  sent  to  go  and  warn 
the  neighbors.  He  did  so,  and  they  took  their  cattle  in  the  oppo- 
site direction  to  grass,  and  for  two  years  before  I  came  away  not 
a  single  herd  of  the  cattle  around  them  had  taken  the  disease. 
Just  those  that  were  exposed  to  the  contagion,  and  no  others,  died. 
The  neighbors'  cattle  continued  in  a  state  of  perfect  health  for  two 
years  after  those  four  herds  (one  hundred  or  one  hundred  and 
thirty  head)  had  died,  right  out  there  in  the  heart  of  a  healthy 
region,  a  region  as  large  as  a  county. 

"  I  can  not  doubt  that  the  disease  was  communicated  by  con- 
tagion, and  that  if  the  animals  can  be  cut  off,  the  disease  will  be 
kept  off.  It  was  kept  off  in  the  region  in  which  I  lived  in  this 
way.  The  chief  with  whom  I  have  lived  occupies  a  considerable 
extent  of  territory,  and  he  is  fortunately  fortified  on  one  side  by 
a  range  of  mountains,  and  on  the  other  by  a  precipice  some  hun- 
dred feet  in  height.  He  had  assembled  his  tribe  for  another  pur- 
pose, and,  wanting  my  advice  in  reference  to  some  political  diffi- 
culties, he  sent  a  messenger  to  tell  me  of  his  trouble.  I  went  to 
him,  and,  after  that  matter  was  settled,  I  took  occasion  to  tell  him 
that  the  sickness  was  within  ssvme  forty  miles  of  us.  I  told  him 
what  the  disease  had  done  and  would  do,  and  I  said  to  him^ 
'There  is  just  one  thing  to  do,  and  that  is,  to  keep  your  cattle 
where  ihey  are,  and  not  allow  any  to  go  out  or  come  in.'  The 
people  there  love  their  cattle,  as  they  say,  better  than  they  lo\e 
their  lives.  They  took  the  alarm,  and  every  effort  that  was  made, 
on  the  part  of  any  one,  to  bring  cattle  into  the  country  was  im- 
mediately and  stoutly  resisted.  The  intruder  was  met  with  spear 
and  shield,  and  threatened  with  death  and  destruction  to  himself 


28  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

and  his  cattle  if  he  came  a  step  further,  and  so  was  made  to  gc 
back.  Only  half  a  mile  off,  within  sight  of  these  cattle,  dead 
animals  were  lying  unburied  that  had  been  exposed  to  this  :on 
tagion.  The  disease  was  brought  there  by  the  oxen  of  an  indi- 
vidual who  had  been  into  the  interior,  and  when  he  came  home 
his  oxen  died.  They  communicated  the  disease  to  all  the  cattle 
in  tLat  neighborhood,  and  I  never  saw  more  complete  destructiciL 
There  was  not  a  single  head  left  in  all  those  kraals.  Those  cattle 
came  up  to  within  half  a  mile  of  our  boundary,  and  you  could 
look  down  and  see  herds  of  them  lying  dead.  That  was  three 
years  ago,  and  yet,  when  I  came  away,  the  disease  had  not  got 
one  inch  over  that  line. 

"These  are  focts  that  I  have  seen  and  know;  and  in  that  coun- 
try, if  you  should  ask  us,  '  Is  the  disease  communicated  by  con- 
tagion?' we  would  say  'Yes,'  and  we  should  just  as  soon  doubt 
that  the  sun  made  daylight.  There  are  thousands  upon  thou- 
sands of  facts  to  prove  it.  We  have  no  more  questions  to  ask  on 
that  subject.  You  will  see  how  widely  the  disease  might  spread 
in  a  country  like  that,  where  cattle  are  so  abundant,  where  the 
travel  is  continued  day  and  night,  and  where  thousands  of  oxen 
are  on  the  road  every  twenty-four  hours.  It  has  been  to  that 
country  a  great*  scourge.  Thousands  and  hundreds  of  thousands 
of  cattle  have  died,  and  many  of  the  people  have  been  made  poor 
by  the  ravages  of  the  disease,  and  the  only  hope  they  have  of 
securing  a  comfortable  subsistence,  and  recovering  a  comfortable 
position  in  respect  to  property,  is  through  sheep.  They  have 
given  up  all  idea  of  grazing  cattle,  and  are  now  turning  their  at- 
tention to  sheep;  for  the  disease  is  so  widely  spread,  that  they 
have  no  hope  that  it  will  ever  be  exterminated. 

"  I  do  not  know  that  I  have  any  thing  further  to  state.  I  might 
repeat  hundreds  and  hundreds  of  facts  of  precisely  this  character. 
If  I  have  appeared  earnest  in  my  statements — somewhat  as  if  I 
was  making  a  si)eech,  which  is,  perhaps,  my  profession — I  hope 
you  will  not  attribute  it  to  any  other  motive  than  a  wish  to  make 
you  fear  as  I  think  you  ought  to  fear.  Massachusetts  has  enacted 
some  glorious  history,  whereof  you  have  famous  monuments,  and 
I  hope  that  pluck  will  not  be  wanting  now." 

From  such  evidence  as  the  foregoing,  there  can  not  be  anv 
doubt  regarding  the  contagious  element  of  the  disease. 


RINDERPEST.  OR  CONTAGIOUS  PLECJRO-PNEUMONlA.  2\* 

The  Cattle  Plague  in  Kentucky. 

The  Cattle  Plague  of  Kentucky  is  known  in  Texas  as  "  Texas 
Fever."  There  are,  at  the  present  time,  about  one  hundred  thou- 
sand head  of  cattle  pastured  along  the  eastern  and  north-eastern 
limits  of  the  State  of  Louisiana,  destined  for  the  markets  of  the 
Mississippi.  They  are  detained  where  they  are  by  the  statutes 
of  neighboring  States,  which  forbid  their  being  driven  through 
them  before  the  10th  of  November,  the  reason  being  a  disease 
called  the  "  Texas,"  or  cattle  fever,  which  prevails  in  the  summer 
months,  and  is  contagious. 

Some  of  these  Texas  cattle  were  brought  into  the  State  of  Ken- 
tucky early  in  August,  1866,  and  shortly  after  the  disease  made 
its  appearance,  the  details  of  which  were  communicated  to  the 
"  Lexington  Observer  and  Reporter"  in  the  following  letter: 

Scott  County,  Kt.,  September  1,  1866 
Col.  L.  J.  Bradford,  President  of  Kentucky  State  Agricultural  Society: 

Pear  Sir — This  section  of  the  country  has  been  much  disturbed, 
in  the  last  few  weeks,  owing  to  a  frightful  disease  which  has  made  its 
appearance  among  the  cattle,  killing  many,  making  some  blind,  and 
otherwise  affecting  a  large  number.  There  was  no  disease  among  the 
cattle  of  these  interior  counties  prior  to  the  introduction  of  a  large 
lot  from  Texas  by  General  E,.  Gano.  It  has  been  asserted,  and  be- 
lieved, for  a  long  time,  that  the  Texas  cattle  would  propagate  a  pecu- 
liai  and  destructive  disease.  Missouri,  in  consequence,  established  a 
cattle  quarantine,  and,  I  believe,  passed  a  prohibitory  law ;  hence,  for 
some  time,  that  State  has  not  been  visited  with  this  fatal  malady. 
Kentuck  /  has  it  now,  and  there  can  be  no  doubt,  in  the  minds  of 
those  who  have  been  informed  of  the  facts,  that  it  was  introduced  by 
the  Texas  cattle. 

Reason. — My  mother-in-law,  Mrs.  James  K.  Duke,  who  lives  nin«? 
miles  from  Lexington  and  four  from  Georgetown,  in  this  county,  on 
)ne  of  the  best  and  most  beautiful  farms  in  the  State,  on  which  no 
disease  of  any  kind  had  ever  occurred,  took  upon  pasture,  the  28th 
of  June  last,  over  three  hundred  of  these  Texas  cattle.  None  of  her 
own  ran  with  them.  They  remained  until  the  3d  of  August,  looked 
Healthy,  and  grazed  well.  Within  five  or  six  days  after  they  had  been 
taken  a^^ay,  a  lot  o?  Kentucky  cattle  (a  great  many  raised  on  the 
farm)  were  turned  on  the  pasture  which  had  been  occupied  by  the 
Texas  cattle.     No  danger  was  apprehended,  but,  within  a  week  or  tett 


30  LA^DS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGER?. 

days,  it  was  discovered  that  the  disease  had  broken  out  among  them. 
Attention  was  immediately  given.  All  were  removed  from  the  pas- 
ture, and  the  sick  separated  frcJa  the  well.  Two  or  three  died  almost 
immediately. 

External  Symptoms. — Dull,  stupid,  stiff;  separation  from  the  herd; 
drooping  of  the  head;  disinclination  to  eat;  trembling,  cramping, 
staggering,  falling,  and,  in  many  cases  (I  do  not  know  that  there  is 
sn  exception),  compression  of  the  jaws.  Some  are  made  perfectly 
blind — none  on  this  farm,  but  on  an  adjoining  one,  that  of  Mr.  Charles 
Ilerndon,  whose  milch  cows,  calves,  and  a  few  steers  were  affected  first 
in  the  eyes  (some  in  one,  some  in  both)  ;  and  it  was  a  week  or  ten 
days  after  the  disease  manifested  itself  in  this  way  before  these  or 
others  began  to  seriously  sicken  and  die. 

Internal  Symptoms,  as  far  as  Observed. — Blood,  very  black  and 
thick  ;  heart,  only  slightly  affected  ;  lungs,  perfectly  sound  and  healthy; 
the  manifold,  or  second  stomach,  very  much  contracted,  with  the  fecal 
matter,  hard,  dry,  and  compact;  the  paunch,  or  first  stomach,  almost 
empty,  and  with  no  apparent  change  ;  bowels,  contracted,  nearly  empty, 
and  extremely  costive;  bladder,  generally  containing  only  a  small 
quantity  of  thick,  high-colored  urine.  In  a  few  cases  they  discharge 
a  considerable  quantity  of  bloody  urine. 

Up  to  the  present  time  Mr.  Herndon  has  lost  eight  or  ten  out  of  a 
lot  of  twenty-five  or  thirty ;  Mrs.  Duke,  with  a  herd  of  seventy-five, 
has  lost  twenty.  Another  neighbor,  Mr.  James  Kenney,  where  only 
Texas  cattle  remained,  lost  two.  A  gentleman  near  Oxford,  Scott 
County,  lost  twelve ;  another  near  Midway,  Woodward  County,  lost 
sixteen,  from  turning  on  a  pasture  where  the  Texas  cattle  had  been 
but  one  night  and  part  of  a  day.  Many  others  have  died  in  the  wake 
of  these  Texas  cattle,  yet  it  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  the  disease  has 
broken  out  nowhere  in  a  malignant  form  save  where  these  imported 
cattle  have  been.  On  the  farm  of  Mrs.  Duke,  her  milch  cows  and 
calves,  which  were  kept  near  the  house,  and  in  the  central  part  of 
the  place,  and  not  allowed  to  mix  with  these  foreign  cattle,  or  run 
on  the  pasture  where  they  had  been,  are  and  have  been  free  from, 
the  disease,  and  milk  and  butter  used  all  the  time. 

What  is  the  Disease? — I  think  it  is  nothing  less  than  the  cattla 
plague,  of  which  we  have  heard  so  much  of  late  as  raging  with  such 
terrible  fatality  in  Europe.  In  England  it  is  called  the  rinderpest, 
in  Russia,  cattle  plague;  in  Mexico  and  Texas,  the  Spanish  fever. 
The  symptoms  are  very  similar.  In  almost  every  case  thus  far  it 
has  proved  fatal.     The  rinderpest  could  not  be  worse. 

Hoiu  is  it  Communicated? — Dr.  J.  Burden  Sanderson,  of  England, 
•liscovered  that  the  blood  of  the  animal  affected  with  caUle  plague 


RINDERPEST.  OR  CONTAGIOUS  PLEDRO-PNEUMONIA.  81 

contained  the  poison  of  the  malady,  so  that  serum  obtained  from  it 
would  give  the  disease  by  inoculation.  Now,  how  did  these  Texas 
cattle  communicate  this  disease,  when  they  were  apparently  healthy? 
Spanish  fever  is  an  endemic  disease  of  Texas,  and  cattle  have  been 
for  years  dying  with  it,  sometimes,  in  certain  localities,  prevailing  as 
an  epidemic.  No  disease,  however,  even  in  the  form  of  epidemic,  is 
always  fatal;  but  I  am  sure,  from  the  natural  course  of  things,  the 
discovery  of  Sanderson,  and  from  facts  herein  given,  that  some  of  those 
Texas  cattle  had  this  disease  in  their  systems,  and  brought  it  to 
Kentucky,  so  that  the  poison  has  inoculated  our  cattle  and  produced 
the  disease  from  which  they  are  now  suffering. 

Our  grasses  seem  to  have  had  the  eflfect  to  eliminate  the  poison 
through  their  kidneys,  bowels,  and,  perhaps,  through  the  lungs,  which, 
being  deposited  on  the  pasture,  was  left  ready  for  the  first  that  fol- 
lowed after  them.  Our  Kentucky  cattle,  of  course,  not  being  acclimated, 
are  readily  susceptible  to  the  infection  of  the  poison,  and  have  suf- 
fered accordingly.  The  disease  is  entirely  distinct  from  any  we  have 
ever  had  in  the  State  before — attacks  suddenly,  affects  singularly, 
and  kills  in  almost  every  case.  One  who  has  ever  seen  a  case  can 
point  out  the  cattle  aflFccted  with  it  as  soon  as  they  begin  to  sicken. 

Thus  far,  Mrs.  Duke  has  lost  twenty  out  of  twenty-six  cases.  On 
the  25th  of  August  she  commenced  feeding  green  corn.  Since  that 
date  only  one  has  died — five  getting  well,  and  no  others  sickening. 
Every  case,  with  the  exception  of  blindness  at  Mr.  Herndon's,  one  case 
of  purging  at  Mr.  Kenney's,  and  two  of  bloody  urine,  were  affected 
precisely  alike;  so  much  so,  that  the  description  of  one  would  answer 
for  all,  the  symptoms  being  more  uniform  than  in  any  epidemic  I  have 
ever  seen  or  known.  The  fact  that  this  disease  has  been  brought  here 
by  Texas  cattle  I  regard  as  perfectly  certain,  no  such  disease  having 
aver  appeared  here  prior  to  their  coming  into  the  State,  and  none 
occurring,  so  far  as  can  be  ascertained,  save  where  they  have  been. 

It  is  well  known  that  they  introduced  the  same  disease  into  Mis- 
souri for  several  consecutive  years,  and  the  State  was  only  relieved 
of  the  pestilence  by  the  Legislature  passing  prohibitory  laws,  making 
it  a  heavy  penalty  to  bring  a  single  one  into  the  State.  It  is  true 
thoy  come  here  seemingly  healthy,  but  may  they  not,  as  I  suggested 
b*fore,  bring  it  in  their  systems,  and,  through  the  effect  of  grasses 
upon  their  bowels  and  kidneys,  deposit  the  poison  upon  our  pastures 
by  their  urine  and  dung?  The  theory  that  the  disease  is  communi- 
cated through  the  feet,  or  by  the  ticks,  I  think  fallacious,  and  will  not 
discuss  it.  Their  feet  are  healthy,  smooth,  and  sound,  and  the  vicks 
on  them  can  be  found  almost  anywhere  in  Kentucky.  I  have  seen 
them  often. 


DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

Prior  to  using  the  green  corn,  I  am  informed,  by  Dr.  A.  B.  Dake^ 
that  salt  and  ashes,  soda,  sulphur,  copperas,  bleeding  in  the  mouth, 
neck,  ears,  and  tail  were  resorted  to  without  any  good  effect;  but  it 
is  not  conclusive  that  grcon  corn  will  be  of  any  material  service.  It 
was  only  an  experiment,  did  good  in  a  few  cases  on  Mrs.  Duke's  farm, 
but  has  not  yet  checked  ihe  cases  on  Mr.  Herndon's.  It  is  impog- 
sible  to  give  a  remedy  so  soon.  It  requires  much  experience  and  ex- 
periment, and  it  would  be  well  for  farmers  in  Kentucky  to  look  into 
the  matter  and  prepare  for  it. 

An  Agricultural  College  has  been  established  near  Lexington. 
Would  it  not  be  well  to  have  Veterinary  Surgery  studied — in  fact, 
have  a  special  chair  for  that  profession?  Many  young  men  will 
Btudy  it,  and  it  is  as  important  as  any  other.  The  diseases  of  cattle, 
horses,  hogs,  and  sheep  are  as  little  known  and  understood  in  Ken- 
tucky as  though  stock  never  did  suffer  from  disease.  Kentucky  hat 
long  been  known  and  noted  as  a  cattle  or  stock-breeding,  raising,  ana 
feeding  State.  If  she  would  maintain  prominence,  and  protect  her 
greatest  interest,  she  must  establish  quarantines  and  pass  laws  shut- 
ting out  this  terrible  pestilence  from  her  bclers,  and  prepare  for 
the  cure  and  relief  of  her  fine  stock. 

Most  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

Gr.  Clay  Smith, 

The  following  is  my  reply  to  the  above : 

Chicago,  III.,  September  13,  1866,. 
G.  Clit  Smith,  Esq.: 

Dear  Sir — Through  the  kindness  of  R.  W.  Carroll  &  Co.,  of  Cin- 
cinnati, I  am  in  possession  of  an  article,  over  your  signature,  havinjj 
reference  to  the  "Cattle  Plague  in  Kentucky."  I  have  carefully- 
perused  the  article  and  compared  the  symptoms,  as  described,  and 
find  that  the  disease  bears  no  analogy  to  the  rinderpest  in  Europe, 
nor  the  pleuro-pneumonia  of  Holland,  which  was  imported  into  Mas- 
Hachusetts  about  six  years  ago,  where  I  had  ample  opportunities  of 
studying  it,  having  been  appointed  by  Governor  Banks  as  surgeon  to 
the  commission  appointed  to  extirpate  the  pest. 

The  Texas  bovine  malady,  just  introduced  in  Kcutucky,  is  peculiar 
to  the  breed  of  Texas.  In  that  country  the  disease  has  acqwred  a 
home  in  the  constitutions  of  animals  bred  and  reared  there.  The 
disease  lurks  in  the  breed  in  a  latent  form,  and,  when  circumstance* 
are  favorable  for  its  development,  it  manifests  itself,  and  becomes  both. 
contagious  and  infectious;  and  thus  it  spreads  after  the  fashion  of 
the  rinderpest  and  other  bovine  epizootics. 


RINDERPEST,  OR  CONTAQiOtTS  FLEUKO-PNEUMONIA.  b6 

Your  suggestion  in  regard  to  establishing  a  special  chair  for  Vet- 
erinary Science  in  the  Agricultural  College  of  Kentucky  is  a  move 
in  the  right  direction.  The  husbandmen  of  Kentucky  have  great  in- 
terests at  stake  in  the  ownership  of  a  vast  number  of  some  of  the 
6nest  stock  in  the  world.  They  are  subject  to  most  of  the  diseases 
that  afflict  the  superior  orders  of  creation,  and  the  theory  and  prac 
tice  of  veterinary  medicine  and  surgery  rests  upon  the  same  intelli- 
gent basis  as  that  which  obtains  in  human  medicine.  It  makes  no 
difference  whether  we  prescribe  for  a  man  or  an  animal,  the  laws  of 
the  animal  economy  are  the  same ;  each  one  is  susceptible,  and  can 
be  benefited  by  the  same  plan  of  treatment.  Hence  the  need  of  vet- 
erinary schools  of  learning  in  the  United  States  for  the  instruction 
of  those  who  shall  engage  in  the  practice  of  our  art.  The  science 
has  been  sadly  neglected  in  this  country,  but  a  period  has  arrived 
when  wc  must  have  educated  men  to  prescribe  for  our  flocks  and 
herds.  Humanity  demands  it — our  own  ^interests  reiterate  the  de- 
mand. Thousands  upon  thousands  of  valuable  animals  die  annually, 
prematurely  and  unnecessarily,  in  consequence  of  a  want  of  knowl- 
edge of  the  nature  of  the  disease  and  the  modus  operandi  of  medicine, 

I  know  of  no  better  locality  in  the  United  States  than  Kentucky 
for  the  establishment  of  a  rational  system  of  teaching  veterinary 
science  at  an  Agricultural  College ;  and  permit  me,  dear  sir,  to  urge 
you  to  use  your  efforts  for  the  above  purpose.  Such  an  undertaking, 
if  successful  (and  I  have  no  doubt  of  it),  will  reflect  great  credit  on 
you,  and  finally  crown  your  State  with  the  laurel  of  veterinary  fame. 
Yours  respectfully, 

G.   H.  Dadd,  V.  S. 

Causes. — There  is  a  great  deal  of  doubt  in  regard  to  the  manner 
in  which  infectious  and  contagious  principles  invade  the  economy, 
yet  I  think  we  shall  not  miss  the  mark  in  contending  that  it  is 
chiefly  through  the  medium  of  the  lungs  that  they  are  introduced 
into  the  system ;  and,  finally,  the  pernicious  substance  is  absorbed 
into  the  blood,  which  it,  more  or  less,  quickly  vitiates,  and  thus 
occasions  the  subsequent  symptoms.  All  contagious  diseases  differ 
from  one  another.  Every  one  possesses  its  own  peculiar  powers, 
oy  which,  when  they  have  come  into  bodies  favoring  their  action, 
through  the  proper  channel  of  communication,  they  every  one  pro- 
create their  own  distinct  form  of  disease  by  a  constant  and  uniform 
'aw;  hence  the  contagion  of  rinderpest  produces  its  specific  effect 
DU  the  system,  spending  its  force  principally  on  the  respiratory 
organs.     The  virus  of  glanders  will  not  produce  any  other  dis- 


'64  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEi)ICINE  AND  SURGEKT. 

ease  than  glamlers.  The  same  remarks  apply  to  rabies,  scarlet 
fever,  small  pox,  etc. ;  so  that  the  virus  of  Texas  fever  produces 
that  disease  and  no  other.  The  agents  through  which  the  virus 
is  most  readily  concocted  are  animal  emanations,  or  secretions, 
particularly  the  effluvia  arising  from  the  excretions  of  infected 
animals,  and  that  arising  from  the  carcasses  of  those  thai  have 
died  of  the  complaint.  '  Hence,  all  that  succumb  to  the  saiat 
should  be  buried  or  burned. 

When  a  large  number  of  animals  are  crowded  together,  and 
the  disease  makes  its  appearance,  the  location  may  be  designated 
as  the  center  of  infection.  In  that  event  they  need  more  space, 
and  must  have  it,  or  the  disease  will  run  riot  among  them;  yet 
the  cordon  sanataire  must  be  drawn  around  them,  for,  if  fresh 
cattle  come  within  breathing  distance,  the  chances  are  t.iat  the 
malady  will  spread.  , 

Treatment. — In  regard  to  the  treatment  of  this  malady  I  have 
but  little  to  offer.  Medicine  has  but  little  control  over  diseases 
of  this  character,  yet  I  should  fecommend  isolation,  pure  air,  and 
a  free  use  of  chlorate  of  potass,  hyposulphite  of  soda,  sulphate  of 
iron,  and  ginger.     Take  of 

Powdered  chlorate  of  potass 3  02 

Powdered  hyposulphite  of  soda 4  oz. 

Powdered  sulphate  of  iron 2  oz. 

l^owdered  ginser 7  oz. 

Mix. 

Dose,  one  ounce,  morning  and  evening;  to  be  mixed  each  time 
in  half  a  ])int  of  flax.sced  tea. 


SECTION   II. 

DISEASES    OF    THE    ORGANS    OF    RESPIRATION. 

CaotP — Laryngitis — Bron'chitis — Inflammation  of  the  Lungs — HoosK  OB 
Common  Catarrh — Epizootic  Catarrh^Consumption — Phartngitis  (Soei 
Throat) — Pulmonary  Apoplexy — Pleurisy,  and  Description  of  the 
Pleura. 

Ceoup. 

THIS  disease  is  generally  supposed  to  occur  among  young  ani- 
mals, but  Claude  relates  a  case  of  false  membranes  in  a 
nine-year  old  ox.  Young  calves  are  frequently  attacked  with 
''  laryngitis,"  and  very  many  die  from  obstruction  in  the  air- 
passages.  These,  after  death,  are  found  to  be  occupied  by  semi- 
organized  lymph.  Such  cases  are  known  to  veterinary  surgeons 
as  membraneous  croup,  and,  in  the  latter  stages  of  the  disease,  the 
false  membranes  are  found  to  occupy  the  intestinal  canal,  as  well 
as  the  air  passages. 

Symptoms. — The  animal  is  observed  to  be  in  imminent  danger 
v>f  suffocation ;  there  is  some  discharge  of  morbid  matter  from  the 
'lostrils,  yet  it  is  evident  that  the  respiratory  passages  are  fast 
filling  up  with  the  morbid  secretion.  The  only  chance  of  saving 
the  animal  is  to  perform  the  operation  of  tracheotomy;  but  th\s 
operation,  m  order  to  be  successful,  must  be  performed  in  the  early 
stage  of  the  disease,  or  when  false  membranes  are  confined  above 
(he  point  selected  for  the  operation;  for  when  the  obstruction 
exists  at  or  about  the  lower  end  of  the  trachea,  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  bronchial  tubes,  the  case  is  hopeless.  The  only  medicine  of 
any  value,  in  the  early  stage  of  this  affection  is 

Glycerine 2  oz. 

Tincture  of  lobelia 2  dr. 

Water 2  oz. 

A  second  dose  may  be  given  at  an  interval  of  two  hours.     If 

r35) 


so  PADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  Ai<D  SURGERY. 

the  patient  does  not  improve,  and  the  danger  appears  imminent^ 
tracheotomy  must  be  performed. 

Laryngitis. 

This  disease  often  commences  as  an  ordinary  cold ;  but  soon  the 
throat  becomes  husky,  followed  by  prolonged  sonorous  respiration 
The  respiration  soon  becomes  quickened,  and,  finally,  the  patien^ 
may  die  of  suffocation.  Laryngitis  consists  of  on  inflammatory 
affection  of  the  submucous  cellular  membrane  of  the  larynx,  often 
ending  in  cedematous  laryngitis.  This  is  one  of  the  most  danger- 
ous of  all  diseases,  for,  after  cedema  has  once  set  in,  the  animal  is 
liable  to  die  of  asphyxia  (loss  of  pulse)  at  any  moment. 

Symptoms. — Commencing,  as  it  often  does,  as  an  ordinary  cold 
or  sore  throat,  it  has  some  symptoms  in  common  with  the  latter, 
The  animal  protrudes  the  nose,  so  that  the  head,  instead  of  being 
pendulous,  is  thrust  forward,  and  he  very  rarely  turns  his  head 
sideways.  The  region  of  the  throat  is  usually  tumefied  and  ten- 
der, and  pressure  on  the  larynx  occasions  great  distress.  These 
f?ymptoms,  associated  with  the  alarming  character  of  the  breath- 
ing and  livid  appearance  of  the  visible  surfaces,  will  enable  any 
one  to  determine  the  true  nature  of  the  disease. 

Treatment. — The  first  object  is  to  endeavor  to  prevent  effusion ► 
lu  this  view,  I  recommend  that  the  patient  be  carefully  drenched 
^;ith  the  -following : 

Fluid  Extract  buehu 1  oz. 

Chlorate  of  potass 2  dr. 

Water 3  oz. 

Mix. 

At  the  end  of  three  hours,  repeat  the  dose.  In  the  mean  time 
bathe  the  jaws  and  throat  with  a  strong  infusion  of  lobelia;  then 
apply  a  cold-Avater  bandage  around  the  jaws  and  throat.  The 
oody  and  limbs  should  be  well  rubbed  with  a  wisp  of  straw,  so 
as  to  keep  up  an  active  circulation  on  tlie  surface  of  the  body. 
An  enema,  comjy^sed  of  soap  and  water,  may  be  thrown  into  the 
rectum.  Should  the  symptoms  become  more  alarming,  the  serv- 
ices of  a  veterinary  surgeon  will  be  required,  to  perform  the 
operati-^n  of  tracheotomy,  whicli  consists  in  taking  a  circular  piece 
of  cartilage  out  of  the  trachea,  and  inserting  therein  a  common 
tracheotomy  tub^-     If  the  disease  be  confined  to  the  parts  abovp 


DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  OF  RESPIRATION.  37 

the  seat  selected  as  the  place  of  operation,  the  animal  may  yet  be 
saved.  When  the  disease  passes  into  the  chronic  stage,  we  have 
a  purulent  discharge  from  the  nostrils.  This  discharge  may  be 
modified   by  giving  a  few  doses  of  the  following : 

Tincture  of  matico 2  oz. 

Syrup  of  garlic 8  oz. 

Sweet  spirits  of  niter 2  oz. 

Mix. 

]jose,  two  ounces,  morning  and  evening.  The  throat  should 
be  rubbed  occasionally  with  a  small  quantity  of  tincture  of  blood- 
root  or  Lot  vinegar.  It  often  happens  that  chronic  laryngitis  ends 
in  thickening,  or  altered  structure,  of  parts  within  and  around  the 
larynx.  Should  this  be  the  case,  the  patient  should  be  put  on  a 
course  of  iodine.  Twenty  grains  per  day  of  iodide  of  potassium 
may  be  given  in  a  small  quantity  of  water ;  and  the  region  of  the 
throat  should  be  anointed  every  night  with  the  following  oint 
ment: 

Powdered  iodide  of  potassium 2  dr. 

Simple  ointment 2  oz. 

Mix. 

Description  of  the  Larynx. — The  larynx  is  seated-  at  the  upper 
part  of  the  windpipe,  to  which  it  is  joined.  It  occupies  that  part 
known  as  the  throat,  between  the  broadest  part  of  the  angles  of 
the  jaw.  It  is  composed  of  several  cartilages,  which  are  under 
the  control  of  the  kryngial  muscles.  These  cartilages  are  so  con- 
trived as  to  be  movable  on  each  other,  in  various  directions. 

The  first  cartilage  is  named  thyroid,  or  shield-like.  It  forms 
the  most  extensive  part  of  the  larynx,  and  protects  the  other  pans 
from  external  injury. 

The  second  cartilage  is  named  cricoid,  or  ring-like  cartilage. 
It  overlaps  the  first  ring  of  the  trachea,  or  windpipe,  in  the  forn^ 
of  a  helmet. 

Thirdly,  there  are  two  ewer-shaped  cartilages,  termed  arytenoid. 
They  are  found  on  the  upper  and  back  part  of  the  trachea.  T^ey 
form  a  canal  which  leads  to  the  glottis. 

The  fourth  cartilage  is  named  epiglottis,  in  consequence  of  being 
situated  upon  and  over  the  glottis.  It  is  the  door-keeper  of  the 
larynx,  and  every  particle  of  food  or  drop  of  water  which  the  ani- 
mal swallows  must  pass  over  it.    If  it  fail  to  perform  its  function 


3S  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGEKV. 

for  a  single  moiaent,  when  the  animal  is  either  drinking  or  eating, 
death  is  sure  to  follow.  But  the  ox  is  rather  more  favored  in  the 
mechanism  of  the  epiglottis  than  the  horse.  The  epiglottis  of  the 
horse  is  just  adapted  to  the  caliber  of  the  glottis,  he  being  a  non- 
ruminant;  but  in  the  case  of  the  ox,  the  rough,  unmasticatec 
particles  of  food  have  to  be  returned  to  the  mouth  for  a  second 
mastication.  This  would  peril  the  life  of  the  animal  if  he  had  no 
otli£r  protection  than  that  found  in  the  larynx  of  horses.  The 
fact  is,  the  epiglottis  of  cattle,  instead  of  being  confined  to  the 
eidiber  of  the  rim  of  the  glottis,  overlaps  it,  and  this  securely  pro- 
tects the  parts  from  the  accidents  which  may  occur  in  the  process 
of  remastication. 

The  larynx  is  lined  by  a  membrane  very  susceptible  to  irrita- 
tion. It  is  abundantly  supplied  witli  excretory  glands  and  ori- 
fices, for  the  emission  of  a  secretion  peculiar  to  itself. 

Bronchitis. 

Bronchitis  fs  a  disease  of  the  bronchial  mucous  membrane.  In 
its  early  stage,  the  term  acute  has  been  applied  to  it ;  this  having 
subsided,  it  assumes  a  chronic  type.  It  is  very  rare  that  this  is  a 
primary  affection,  for  it  is  generally  preceded  by  cough  or  catarrh, 
or  else  is  an  accompaniment  of  an  abnormal  condition  of  contigu- 
ous tissues.  Its  existence  may  be  demonstrated  very  readily  by 
applying  the  ear  to  the  trachea,  in  the  region  of  the  point  of  the 
breast-bone,  the  peculiar  sound  differing  from  that  in  any  other 
part  of  the  trachea,  having  what  is  termed  a  sibilant,  or  whistling 
sound. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  will  be  about  the  same  as  that 
recommended  for  common  catarrh,  with  the  addition  of  a  counter- 
irritant  to  the  sides  of  the  chest.  A  little  mustard  and  vinegar  will 
answer  the  purpose.  A  bronchial  difficulty,  of  a  very  alarming 
character,  sometimes  prevails  as  an  epizootic,  and  this  must  be 
treated  the  same  as  epizootic  catarrh. 

Description  of  the  Bronchial  Tubes. — The  bronchial  tubes  are  a 
continuation  of  the  trachea.  It  having  entered  the  thorax,  becomes 
forked  or  bifurcated.  They  are  constituted  of  several  pieces,  mak- 
ing up  so  many  segments  of  the  circle,  overlapping  each  other  so 
ss  to  adjnit  of  extension  and  contraction  in  the  respiratory  acts. 
These  are  connected  together  and  invested  by  an  elastic  ceiiubr 


DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  OF  RESPIRATION.  39 

substance,  which  imparts  to  them  both  strength  and  elasticity.  A 
further  subdivision  of  the  bronchial  tubes  takes  place  as  they  pen- 
etrate the  substance  of  the  lungs,  so  that  they  become  very  numer- 
ous. As  they  proceed  onward  their  caliber  continually  grows  less, 
until  they  end  in  the  extreme  ramifications  known  as  air-cells. 
The  bronchial  tubes  are  lined  by  a  membrane  common  to  tlio 
trachea. 

Inflammation  of  the  Lungs. 

Ix^.fiammation  of  the  lungs,  known,  also,  as  pneumonia,  is  not 
usually  so  prevalent  among  the  bovine  as  it  proves  to  be  in  tlie 
equine  species,  excepting,  however,  milch  cows,  located  in  unven- 
tildted  milking  establishments.  In  such  locations  diseases  of  the 
lungs  are  often  fearfully  prevalent,  raging,  at  times,  as  an  enzootic 
affection,  <\'hich  generally  proves  fatal  when  a  large  number  of 
animals  are  confined  in  a  small  space. 

Among  horses  this  disease  is  often  occasioned  by  laborious  Avork 
and  feats  of  speed,  which  produce  rapid  and  sometimes  distressing 
respiration ;  but  among  cattle,  whose  powers  of  spcoH  and  endur- 
ance are  not  often  put  to  the  test,  we  may  reasonably  infer  that 
the  exciting  <:auses  vary  in  their  general  character. 

The  stimulating  and  morbid  action  of  an  impure  atmosphere 
may  produce  this  disease  by  first  creating  irritation  on  the  lining 
membrane  of  the  respiratory  passages.  It  has  also  been  noticed 
that  this  disease  frequently  appears  among  cattle  that  have  been 
driven  a  long  distance,  and  have  also  been  compelled  to  go  hungry 
and  thirsty  for  many  hours.  Fortunately  for  the  poor  brute,  this 
disease  is  not  so  painful  as  bronchitis,  pleurisy,  and  laryngitis ; 
and,  after  having  passed  through  the  acute  stage,  it  assumes  a  sort 
of  mild,  subacute,  or  chronic  type,  which,  apparently,  appears  less 
dangerous  than  the  acute  kind ;  yet,  after  all,  is  more  so,  as  it  is 
apt  to  terminate  in  altered  structure,  hepatization,  induration,  and 
tubercles. 

Pneumonia,  now  and  then,  terminates  by  metastasis;  that  is,  by 
translation  of  the  formidable  lung  difficulty  to  one  equally  formi- 
dable, which  locates  in  the  feet,  known  to  veterinarians  as  laminitia 
(fever  in  the  feet).  Among  cattle,  however,  this  termination  ia 
rather  rare,  yet  very  frequent  among  horses.  When  the  disease 
does  not  take  this  course  it  often  ends  in  "  resolution,"  which  sig- 
nifies a  return  to  health,  without  leaving  any  perce4vable  evidenj- 


40  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURQERT. 

of  altered  structure ;  so  that,  after  awhile,  the  animal  may  become 
«ouud  as  ever. 

Pneumonia  is  divided  into  several  forms  or  stages,  but,  as  they 
all  have  reference  to  its  degree  or  intensity,  it  seems  unnecessary 
to  refer  to  them.  It  may,  however,  be  proper  to  inform  the  reader 
Iha*  pneumonia  may  exist  either  as  a  state  of  congestion  or  of  in- 
flammation. Congestion  signifies  a  distended  or  plethoric  state 
of  the  blood-vessels  of  the  parenchyma  of  the  lungs,  and  slow 
motion  of  blood.  Congestive  pneumonia  sometimes  sets  in  as  sud- 
vletily  as  that  which  is  termed  "  inflammatory,"  and  among  cattle 
the  former  h  most  prevalent.  In  the  congestive  stage  .he  symp- 
toms are  those  of  embarrassment,  the  blood  courses  through  its 
channels  sluggishly,  and  there  is  not  the  activity  of  heart  and 
lungs  which  is  perceivable  in  pneumonia. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms,  in  the  early  stage,  are  such  as  are 
generally  observed  at  the  commencement  of  any  inflammatory 
affection  ;  namely,  coldness  of  extremities  and  shivering  fits ;  loss 
of  appetite ;  labored  respiration,  quick  pulse,  slight  cough ;  mouth 
hot  and  clammy.  The  animal  will  not  lie  down,  and  refuses  to 
move ;  the  head  is  extended,  perhaps  drooping,  and  the  fore-legs 
stand  wide  apart.  As  the  disease  progresses  these  symptoms  vary, 
and  the  appearance  of  the  membrane  of  the  mouth,  nose,  and  eyes 
vary  also,  from  the  color  of  bright  scarlet  to  that  of  a  leaden  hue. 
In  the  congestive  stage,  the  pulse  is  more  voluminous,  yet  less 
active,  and  the  visible  surfaces  are  highly  congested.  A  cough, 
slight  or  active,  as  the  case  may  be,  is  usually  noticed ;  it  is  a  sort 
of  deep-seated,  half-suppressed  cough,  and  sometimes  is  the  first 
symptom  which  attracts  the  owner's  attention  to  the  ailing  animal. 

Treatment. — I  have  little  faith  in  the  heroic  remedies  so  highly 
recommended  by  Youatt  and  others,  and  even  by  myself  only  a 
few  years  ago.  I  now  have  more  faith  in  Nature  and  in  regi- 
menal means,  and  find  that  more  cases  are  cured  in  this  way  than 
by  the  old  method.  It  is  very  important,  at  the  commencement 
of  the  treatment,  that  the  patient  shall  be  placed  in  a  clean,  com- 
fortable location,  where  pure  air  abounds ;  for,  under  such  circuni  - 
stances,  the  condition  favorable  to  the  operation  of  Nature  in  the 
cure  of  the  malady  are  secured.  Should  the  animal  labor  undor 
accelerated  respiration  and  full,  strong  pulse,  I  should  administer 
one  ounce  of  powdered  niter  in  a  quart  of  cold  water ;  after  which, 
four  ounces  of  the  liquor  acetate  of  ammonia  may  be  given,  every 


DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  OF  RESPIRATION.  11 

tour  hours.  This  agent,  also,  should  have  a  quart  of  cold  water 
added  to  it  at  every  dose.  The  brisket  and  sides  may  l)e  rubbed 
with  a  portion  of  the  following :  Powdered  mustard  and  strong  vin- 
egar, enough  of  each  to  form  a  thin  paste.  When  mixeu,  a  small 
quantity  of  oil  of  cedar  may  be  added.  This  application  should 
be  repeated  two  or  three  times  in  the  course  of  twenty-four  hours. 
Nauseants  are  next  administered,  in  view  of  relaxing  capillary  and 
muscular  constrictions,  and  this  is  desirable,  as  such  conditions 
tend  to  equalize  the  circulation  of  the  blood,  and  prevent  an  undue 
(juantity  accumulating  in  the  pulmonary  organs. 

In  cattle  practice,  having  had  a  case  of  this  character  under 
treatment,  I  prefer  to  administer  the  nauseating  remedies  by  the 
anus;  hence,  a  couple  of  quarts  of  infusion  of  lobelia  may  occa- 
sionally be  thrown  into  the  rectum.  Considerable  of  the  active 
principle  of  lobelia  will  be  absorbed  within  this  gut,  and,  under 
the  circumstances,  it  is  much  better  to  introduce  the  medicine 
into  the  system  in  this  way  than  by  the  stomach.  The  propor- 
tions of  the  lobelia  to  the  water  are — 

Lobelia  (herb) 2  oz. 

Boiling  water 2  qt. 

When  cool,  strain,  and  it  is  fit  for  use. 

It  may  be  necessary  to  give  a  dose  of  medicine ;  if  so,  I  should 
use  the  following : 

Glauber  salts 12  oz. 

Ginger 1  dr. 

Warm  water 1  qt. 

It  should  be  known  to  all  husbandmen  that  a  disease  of  thia 
character,  located  in  such  important  organs  as  those  of  respiration, 
is  very  prostrating,  and  operates  very  unfavorably  on  the  inher- 
ent vitality  of  parts ;  hence,  so  soon  as  the  activity  of  the  mor- 
bid phenomena  is  somewhat  subdued,  all  active  medication  should 
cease. 

The  affection  is  likely  to  continue  for  some  days,  and  all  we 
have  to  do  is  to  try  to  keep  the  patient  alive  while  the  disease  is 
mnning  its  course.  Careful  nursing,  pure  air,  and  light  diet  are 
the  remedies.  After  the  first  twenty-four  hours,  I  pay  little  at- 
tention to  the  pulse,  but  more  to  the  patient,  for  I  can  conceive 
of  but  two  conditions  In  this  disease.  One  I  call  acute,  the  otner 
'Cihronic.     The  very  moment  the  acute  condition  subsides,  it  merges 


4*J  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  3URGERV. 

into  the  chronic,  and  requires  life-sustaining  agents.    After  the  first 
twenty-four  liours,  I  generally  resort  to  the  following  medicine: 

Glycerine 8  oz. 

Powdered  bloodroot 4  dr. 

Powdered  golden  seal 1  oz. 

Water 4  oz. 

Mix. 

Dose,  one  table-spoonful,  to  be  smeared  on  the  tongue  night 
and  morning. 

Management  of  the  Patient  while  under  Treatment. — As  I  have 
already  intimated,  a  full  supply  of  pure  air  must  be  insured ;  for 
a  practitioner  would  be  more  likely  to  save  an  animal  in  the  open 
air  (provided  the  weather  was  not  too  cold  or  tempestuous)  than 
in  the  unventilated  cow-house.  Should  the  limbs  at  any  time  l-e 
cold,  they  are  to  be  hand-rubbed  and  bandaged ;  the  body  being 
in  the  same  condition,  must  aLso  be  clothed.  I  should  also  give 
the  chilled  patient  some  warm  ginger-tea,  or  any  other  non-alco- 
holic stimulant  or  carminative,  in  view  of  arousing  the  action  of 
the  heart  and  capillaries,  by  which  means  the  red  arterial  and 
life-sustaining  blood  would  be  forced  to  the  external  surface  and 
extremities,  imparting  to  them  a  genial  \yarmth,  and  thus  insui- 
ing  an  equilibrium  of  the  circulating  fluid.  The  patient  should 
be  furnished  constantly  with  a  bucket  of  pure,  cold  water.  Wheu 
morbid  thirst  prevails,  the  water  must  be  acidulated  with  eith<!r 
Icmon-juice,  cream  of  tartar,  or  acetic  acid.  Any  .symptoms  of 
debility  or  lassitude  are  to  be  opposed  by  a  few  doses  of  some  veg- 
etable tonic.  Tincture  of  golden  seal,  or  tincture  of  matico,  in 
ounce  doses,  every  twelve  hour.s,  are  the  best  remedies  that!  ain 
acquainted  with. 

My  experience  in  tht  treatment  of  this  formidable  disease  is, 
that  in  ninety-nine  cases  out  of  one  hundred,  the  patient  dies  of 
a  meddlesome  medicinal  disease ;  in  fact,  he  dies  secundem  artem. 
In  view  of  furnishing  a  logical  argument  to  support  this  theory, 
I  refer  the  reader  to  Youatt,  Percivall,  and  others  of  the  or- 
thodox stamp,  (very  learned  men,)  who  are  apt  to  place  too  much 
confidence  in  art,  to  the  exclusion  of  Nature. 

It  is  my  opinion,  after  many  years  study  and  practice,  that  dis- 
eases are  not  cured  by  art ;  but  art  may  so  modify  the  diseased 
condition  that  the  recuperative  powers  of  the  system  can  thereby 
induce  salutary  changes,  witliout  which  they  can  not  so  readily  be 


DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  OF  RESPIRATION.  43 

effected.     Thus  art,  when  understandingly  applied,  may  be  said 
to  aid  Nature  in  the  cure  of  disease. 


HoosE,  OE  Common  Cataerh. 

Cattle,  as  well  as  horses,  are  subject  to  a  catarrhal  affection, 
known  among  English  farmers  as  "hoose."  This  consists  of  a 
defluxion  from  the  nasal  cavity,  accompanied  with  cough,  loss  of 
appetite,  and  loss  of  flesh.  In  popular  language,  it  is  nothing 
more  than  a  common  cold,  induced  by  the  ordinary  causes,  such 
as  exposure,  errors  in  diet,  and  management.  It  generally  ap- 
pears during  spring,  or  toward  the  latter  part  of  autumn,  wher 
the  temperature  of  the  atmosphere  undergoes  the  most  sudder. 
changes;  and  it  generally  selects  its  subjects;  for  many  animals, 
subjected  to  the  ordinary  causes  of  cold,  enjoy  immunity  from  the 
same;  hence,  I  infer  that  a  predisposition  to  this  affection  is 
hereditary,  and  manifests  itself  at  periodical  intervals,  without 
the  intervention  of  the  common  exciting  causes,  although  they 
may  prove  operative  in  developing  a  latent  disease. 

I  conceive  that  it  sometimes  has  an  hereditary  origin,  from  the 
fact  that  some  breeds  are  more  subject  to  it  than  others.  In  some 
cases,  however,  this  hereditariness  exists  only  so  far  as  the  animal 
is  of  a  peculiar  temperament,  so  that,  when  removed  from  a  warm 
to  a  colder  region,  it  is  apt  to  contract  catarrh.  This  is  the  case 
with  many  of  the  Alderney  breed  of  cows  imported  into  the 
northern  region  of  the  United  States.  Ere  they  have  been  here 
long,  they  have  an  attack  of  catarrh,  which  often  runs  into  the 
chronic  stage,  and  ends  in  consumption. 

Symptoins. — The  first  symptom  which  the  farrier  will  observe, 
is  loss  of  appetite.  Succeeding  this  are  febrile  symptoms,  such 
as  quick  pulse  and  respiration,  heaving  at  the  flanks,  dry  muzzle, 
glairy  discharge  from  the  nostrils,  reddening  of  the  visible  sur- 
faces. The  limbs  are  generally  colder  than  usual,  and  the  nair 
loses  its  glossiness  and  appears  roughened.  The  animal  will  occa- 
sionally snort  and  discharge  more  or  less  of  glairy  mucus,  and 
some  soreness  of  throat  may  be  observed.  Such  are  the  early  and 
most  noticeable  symptoms  of  this  disease ;  and  this  is  the  most 
proper  period  for  the  animal  to  receive  attention,  in  order  to  pre- 
vent the  malady  running  into  the  chronic  form;  for,  should  it  do 
'■o,  ten  chances  to  one  if  the  case  is  not  called  "  horn-ail,"  and 


44  DADDS  VCTtilUNARV  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

thus  the  poor  animal  has  to  submit  to  a  routine  of  barbarisms, 
such  as  boring  horns,  letting  daylight,  pepper,  and  turpentine  into 
the  frontal  sinuses,  much  to  the  annoyance  of  a  sick  brute,  and 
very  significant  of  the  ignorance  of  the  itinerant  cattle-slayer. 

Ireatment. — The  treatment  depends  somewhat  on  the  condition 
of  the  ])atient,  as  regards  the  preponderance  of  fever  or  debility. 
A  high-fed  animal,  abounding  in  morbific  material,  and  neces- 
sarily of  a  febrile  diathesis,  must  have  aperients.  Eight  ounces 
of  Glauber  salts,  dissolved  in  warm  water,  and  sweetened  with 
molasses,  may,  without  the  least  danger,  be  administered,  followed 
by  a  liberal  supply  of  warm,  sloppy,  bran-mashes ;  and,  should 
the  pulse  be  voluminous  and  excessively  active,  thirty  grains  of 
powdered  niter  may  be  added  to  the  above,  which,  in  all  proba- 
bility, will  reduce  the  action  of  the  heart.  In  the  mean  time,  we 
keep  the  patient  quiet.  Withhold  all  fat  and  muscle-making  food, 
and  allow  the  patient  to  breathe  a  pure  and  cool  atmosphere;  for 
a  cool  atmosphere  is,  perhaps,  a  better  sedative  than  niter,  and 
certainly  more  requisite;  and,  after  the  medicine  shall  have  had 
time  to  traverse  a  portion  of  the  intestinal  surface,  say  a  lapse  of 
five  or  six  hours,  an  enema  of  Glauber  salts  may  be  given,  in  the 
proportion  of  half  a  pound  to  half  a  gallon  of  water. 

In  the  early  stage,  and  having  a  plethoric  subject  under  treat- 
ment, it  may,  by  some  persons,  be  considered  necessary  to  resort 
to  the  fleam ;  and  some  highly-educated  physicians  decide  this  to 
be  the  best  course.  There  may  be  cases,  occurring  in  pampered 
and  stable-fed  animals,  which  demand  a  prompt  use  of  the  above 
instrument ;  but  the  author  has  never  seen  a  case  of  catarrh  which, 
in  his  judgment,  demanded  the  abstraction  of  blood.  Bleed  by 
the  bowels,  if  there  be  need  of  depletion.  This  is  my  doctrine. 
Catarrh,  whether  it  be  simple  or  epidemic,  in  one  feature  re- 
sembles influenza  occurring  among  horses.  It  is  a  prostrating 
disease,  inducing  debility.  However,  I  have  no  desire  to  force  my 
opinions  on  any  man.  Try  sanitive  medicines;  if  they  have  not 
<he  desired  effect,  the  judicious  practitioner  has  no  other  remedy. 

We  have  now  only  to  keep  the  patient  alive  while  the  disease 
is  running  its  course,  and  this  is  accomplished  by  means  of  "  good 
nursing."  There  are  a  great  many  remedies  that  might  be  recom- 
mended, in  view  of  hastening  convalescence,  but  "  good  nursing  " 
supplants  the  whole.  A  sore  throat  may  accompany  the  malady, 
and,  if  so,  I  recommend  the  following : 


i^ISEASES  OF  THE  OKGANS  OF  RESPIRATION.  J5 

Olive  qW ; 6  oz. 

Oil  of  cedar 1  oz. 

Spirit  of  ammonia -^  oz. 

Tincture  of  capsicum 1  oz. 

Mix. 

Apply  a  portion  to  the  throat  twice  daily. 

In  order  to  promote  a  discharge  from  the  nasal  outlets,  w« 
resort  to  vapor,  which  may  be  generated  by  dropping  water  or 
vinegar  on  a  hot  brick ;  and  to  insure  the  full  effect  of  the  same, 
I  envelop  the  head  with  a  cloth  or  blanket,  so  as  to  direct  the 
current  of  vapor  through  the  nasal  passages.  In  view  of  pro- 
moting a  nasal  discharge,  a  small  quantity  of  bayberry  bark  (pul- 
verized) may  occasionally  be  blown  up  the  nostrils,  from  a  quill 
or  a  hollow  tube  of  paper.  The  after-treatment  will  depend  upon 
the  observable  symptoms.  While  a  febrile  diathesis  continues, 
we  depend  on  sedatives  and  aperients.  In  the  chronic  stage,  tonics 
and  alteratives  are  indicated,  and  must  be  resorted  to,  in  view  of 
warding  off  a  chronic  cough  and  its  consequences. 


Epizootic  Catarrh. 

Epizootic  catarrh  is  infectious,  yet  animals  having  once  had  an 
attack  of  the  same  may  enjoy  immunity  from  it  thereafter.  It 
usually  appears  and  spreads  over  various  parts  of  the  country 
when  great  variations  in  the  weather  are  noticed.  It  generally 
appears  in  the  spring,  and  disappears  when  the  weather  becomes 
warmer  and  more  uniform. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  epizootic  catarrh,  in  the  early 
stage,  do  not  differ  materially  from  those  alluded  to  in  the  pre- 
ceding article  (common  catarrh).  In  a  very  short  time,  however, 
the  animal  begins  to  grow  very  weak,  and  becomes  debilitated. 
Tumors  form  in  various  parts  of  the  body,  emitting,  when  pressed, 
a  crackling  sound ;  the  glands  in  the  region  of  the  throat  are  en- 
larged; the  neck,  stiff;  the  odor  from  the  breath  and  feces  t* 
very  offensive;  the  animal  loses  flesh  very  fast,  and,  unless  re- 
lieved, will  surely  die. 

Causes. — The  direct  causes  of  this,  like  that  of  any  other  epi- 
zootic and  endemic  affection,  are  involved  in  obscurity.  Specu- 
lation is  rife  as  regards  the  causes  of  cholera  and  the  potato  rot, 
which  p/obably  have  analogous  origins,  but  it  is  very  difficult,  if 


46  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

not  impossible,  at  the  present  time,  to  define  the  precise  character 
of  the  morbid  germ  which,  "like  a  little  leaven,"  leavens  the 
whole  body. 

Treatment. — The  principal  objects  in  the  treatment  of  tnis  mal- 
ady are  to  sustain  the  vital  powers,  and  thus  guard  against  the 
subsequent  prostration  and  decomposition  which,  under  the  ortho- 
dox treatment,  is  sure  to  occur.  The  proper  mode  of  treatment 
13  to  drench  the  animal  with  the  following : 

Tincture  of  matico 1  oz. 

Hyposulphite  of  soda 6  dr. 

Powdered  golden  seal 2  dr. 

Warm  water 1  pint. 

Having  administered  the  above  medicine,  anoint  the  throat  and 
all  tumefied  parts  with  a  portion  of  the  following  counter-irritant: 

Oil  of  cedar 1  oz. 

Oil  of  sassafras \  oz. 

Cod-liver  oil 6  oz. 

Mix. 

Apply  by  means  of  a  small  piece  of  sponge.  Should  the  breath 
become  fetid,  and  the  odor  from  the  evacuations  almost  intoler- 
able, as  is  often  the  case,  very  powerful  antiseptics  will  be  needed, 
to  arrest  the  morbid  fermentation.  The  most  efficient  and  valu- 
able article  for  this  purpose  is  pyroligneous  acid.  A  couple  of 
ounces  of  the  same  may  be  given  in  a  quart  of  oatmeal  gruel, 
every  four  hours,  until  the  odor  is  exterminated.  The  diet  should 
consist  of  well-salted,  scalded  shorts,  sliced  carrots,  and  parsnips. 
In  the  absence  of  rumination,  give  a  drachm  of  powdered  golden 
seal  and  half  a  drachm  of  carbonate  of  soda,  twice  in  twenty- 
four  hours. 

Consumption. 

This  disease,  as  it  appears  among  cattle,  is  supposed  to  be  the 
sequel  of  other  diseases  of  the  respiratory  apparatus,  and  some 
writers  contend  that  phthisis  is  the  termination  of  chrcnic  disease 
of  the  lungs,  characterized  by  the  formation  of  tubercles  within 
the  substance  of  the  lungs. 

Symptoms. — The  most  notable  symptoms  are  emaciation,  debil- 
ity, cough,  fever,  and  purulent  expectoration.  Expectoration, 
however,  is  a  feature  of  this  disease,  more  marked  in  the  human 
subject  than  among  horses  and  cattle  ;  yet,  in  tlic  last  sfases.  wt 


DISEASES  Of  THE  ORGANS  OF  RESPIRATION.  47 

occasionally  observe  nasal  discharges  of  a  purulent  character.  In 
diagnosing  this  disease,  it  is  necessary  to  make  ourselves  acquainted 
with  the  history  of  the  case,  and  the  physical  conformation  of  the 
animal;  for,  if  the  patient  be  the  subject  of  neglected  catarrh, 
bronchitis,  or  any  other  pulmonic  or  pleuritic  difficulty,  we  have 
the  data  for  an  intelligent  diagnosis ;  provided  the  physical  con- 
formation corresponds  to  that  which  physiologists  regard  as  sus- 
oe})tible  of  phthisis ;  namely,  a  lean,  lank  organization,  associated 
viiih.  an  active,  nervous  temperament. 

Referring  to  Percivall  for  evidence  on  the  subject  now  under 
consideration,  I  find  that  he  considers  a  colt  having  long  legs, 
c\-ergrowth,  narrow  chest,  flat  sides,  pot  belly,  and  an  appearance 
of  weakness  and  unthrivingness,  a  capital  subject  for  phthisis.  A 
cough  occurring  in  such  an  animal,  of  a  feeble,  painful,  hoarse, 
rattling,  or  gurgling  character,  shows  conclusively  that  disorgan- 
ization of  the  lungs  has  commenced.  The  cough  will  also  be  ac- 
companied by  a  sound  which  gives  us  an  idea  that  it  is  deep- 
seated. 

Causes. — Aside  from  the  well-known  direct  hereditary  causes 
which  are  known  to  exist  in  breed,  there  are  others  operating 
insidiously  to  produce  disease  and  altered  structure  in  the  lungs, 
The  climate  may  be  prejudicial.  I  have  known  this  disease  to 
make  its  appearance  among  cows  unsuited  to  our  New  England 
climate — the  Alderneys,  for  example.  On  the  other  hand,  if  cows 
be  removed  from  a  warm,  comfortable  location,  or  barn,  to  a  region 
involving  a  material  difference  in  temperature,  a  derangement  of 
the  respiratory  system  is  very  apt  to  occur.  It  may  appear  at 
Arst  under  the  guise  of  a  simple  bronchial  affection,  which  insidi- 
ously steals  on  until  the  substance  of  the  lungs  is  affected.  Ani- 
mals shut  up  in  close  and  hot  stables,  where  they  can  not  obtain 
eufficient  oxygen  to  vitalize  or  decarbonize  the  blood,  are  aptc 
after  a  short  time,  to  die  of  tuberculated  lungs ;  or,  perhaps,  a 
worse  form  of  disease,  known  as  infectious  pleuro-pneumouia, 
Boon  terminates  their  wretched  existence.  Impure  air  is  at  all 
times  operative  in  exciting  pulmonary  affections.  The  least  de- 
viation from  purity  may  occasion  very  serious  difficulties ;  there- 
fore, it  should  be  the  business  of  the  farmer  to  see  that  his  cattle 
have  constantly  an  abundant  supply  of  pure,  uncontaminated  air — 
the  breath  of  life. 

Treatment — In  the  first  place,  the  patient  must  be  removed  to  a 


48  1>ADJ>?  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

comfortably  warm  and  well-ventilated  barn.  Should  the  weather 
be  chilly,  a  blanket  may  be  thrown  over  the  body ;  and  it  will  be 
expedient,  also,  to  clothe  the  limbs,  up  to  the  knees  and  h  <cks, 
with  strips  of  flannel.  By  this  means  we  promote  cutaneous  and 
subcutaneous  cinulation,  and  every  drop  of  blood  invited  and 
maintained  at  the  surface  in  the  extreme  vessels  tends  to  prevent 
internal  congestions.  Without  proper  attention  to  these  matters, 
we  might  as  foolishly  attempt  to  raise  a  dead  cow  to  life.  Next, 
the  patient,  whose  appetite  is  almost  sure  to  be  impaired,  should 
be  fed  on  that  kind  of  food  which  contains  more  carbon  and  nitro- 
gen than  common  hay ;  namely,  oatmeal.  In  case  of  a  complete 
suspension  of  rumination  (loss  of  cud),  a  due  proportion  per  diem 
of  oatmeal  gruel,  sAveetened  with  some  saccharine  matter,  may  be 
administered  from  a  bottle.  Every  morning  the  patient  should 
have  four  ounces  of  the  best  cod-liver  oil.  This  can  be  continued 
until  its  action  is  made  manifest  by  purging.  Every  evening, 
give  the  patient  a  dose  of  the  foP owing: 

Powdered  phosphate  of  lime 3  02. 

Powdered  bloodroot 1  oz. 

Powdered  bayberry  bark 4  dr. 

Powdered  sassafras 2  oz. 

Divide  the  mixture  into  sixteen  parts.  The  above  is,  according 
to  my  experience,  the  most  rational  method  of  treating  this  disease ; 
but  the  farmer  must  not  feel  disappointed  if  he  fails  in  arresting 
it,  for  it  frequently  baffles  the  most  consummate  skill. 


Pharyngitis  (Sore  Throat). 

The  term  pharyngitis  signifies  inflammation  of  the  membrane 
lining  in  the  pharyngial  inlet,  or  funnel-like  entrance  into  the 
oesophagus,  or  gullet. 

Symptom. — The  diagnostic  symptom  of  this  affection  is  as  fol- 
lows: The  subject  is  unable  to  swallow,  and  thus  the  food  taken 
into  the  mouth  is  apt  to  be  returned  by  the  nostrils.  This  hap- 
pens occasionally,  although  the  passage  of  th«'  nasal  inlet  is  much 
smaller  than  it  is  in  the  horse.  On  exploring  the  inferior  region 
^f  the  throat,  from  ear  to  ear,  considerable  swelling  or  tumefaction 
is  encountered,  yet  the  pharyngial  muscles  appear  to  be  constricted. 
It  generally  appears  among  cattle  as  a  simple  local  affection,  yet 
it  often  accompanies  other  diseases  of  the  respiratory  character, 


DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  OF  KESPIh.-.TION.  W 

and  whenever  it  does  appear  as  a  local  malady,  it  is  api  to  merge 
into  something  else.  It  is  a  very  distressing  affection,  and  the 
animal  gets  but  little  relief  un^.il  suppuration  commences  ;  then  a 
free  discharge  takes  place. 

Treatment. — Let  the  animal's  throat  be  rubbed  twice  daily  with 

Oil  of  cedar 1  oz. 

Cod-liver  oil 6  oz. 

Spirits  of  ammonia 2  dr. 

Mix. 

Keep  a  sloppy  bran-mash  before  the  patient,  or  some  flaxseed 
tea,  into  which  stir  a  small  quantity  of  powdered  niter  of  liquorice 
This  will  relieve  the  cough,  if  any  be  present,  and  tend  to  lessen  ir- 
ritation of  the  lining  membrane  of  the  pharynx.  When  the  patient 
begins  to  expectorate,  or  has  the  least  discharge  from  the  nose,  give 

Balsam  of  tolu 2  oz. 

Sweet  spirits  of  niter 3  oz. 

Mucilase  of  gum  arabic 8  oe 

Mix. 

Dose,  one  wine-glassful,  twice  daily. 

Jjescription  of  the  pharynx. — The  pharjux  is  the  commencemenl 
of  the  tube  known  as  the  oesophagus,  or  "  gullet."  It  is  a  flinnel  - 
shaj)ed  cavity,  lodged  between  the  mouth,  gullet,  and  windpipe 
The  pharynx  is  composed  of  muscular  and  membraneous  tissues. 
The  most  important  muscles  which  enter  into  the  composition  of 
the  pharynx  are  the  constrictors.  They  give  the  membrane  form- 
ing the  funnel-shaped  sac  a  complete  covering,  and  their  function 
is  to  force  the  food  beyond  the  action  of  the  tongue,  into  the  oeso- 
phagus. The  pharynx  is  divided  from  the  mouth  by  the  soft 
palate  and  the  epiglottis;  therefore,  except  in  the  act  of  swallow- 
ing or  coughing,  there  is  no  direct  communication.  The  interioi 
of  the  pharynx  is  lined  by  a  membrane  having  within  its  structure 
a  vast  number  of  minute  glands,  with  excretory  ducts,  from  which 
a  viscid  or  lubricating  fluid  issues.  This  lubricates  the  pellets  of 
food,  so  that,  by  this  process,  their  passage  into  the  oesophagus  is 
insured  without  the  casuality  of  friction. 


Pulmonary  Apoplexy. 

This  disease  occasionally  appears  among  cattle  in  the  Weslem 

States.     It  attacks  animals  irrespective  of  ago,  sex,  or  condition 
4 


50  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURuERY, 

It  is  generally  sudden  in  its  attacks,  and  death  frequently  ensuM 
in  the  course  of  a  few  hours. 

Symptoms. — The  pulse  and  respirations  are  very  much  acceler- 
ated, the  former  sometimes  running  as  high  as  110 ;  an  augmented 
Kali  vary  secretion  is  observed  to  run  from  the  mouth ;  the  tongue 
13  much  swollen;  so,  also,  are  the  eyelids,  and  tears  run  down 
each  !ude  of  the  face ;  various  parts  of  the  body  are  swollen  and 
congested  ;  the  stomach  is  distended  with  gas,  and  the  evacuations 
are  profuse  and  watery.  Post  mortem  examinations  reveal  a  highly- 
congested  state  of  the  lungs ;  in  fact,  they  are  engorged  with  blood, 
and  the  muscles  in  the  region  of  the  tumefied  parts  are  in  a  similar 
engorged  condition. 

Treatment. — No  time  should  be  lost  in  administering  the  follow- 
ing drench,  for  it  will  preserve  the  tissues  against  decomposi<:ion, 
and,  perhaps,  save  the  animal : 

Pyroligneous  acid 12  dr. 

Water 1  pint. 

Tincture  of  matico 1  oz. 

Repeat  the  dose  after  a  lapse  of  six  hours,  and  rab  the  turae- 
&ction  occasionally  with 

Oil  of  cedar ,..  1  oz. 

Tincture  of  capsicum 2  oz. 

Tincture  of  bayberry  bark 4  oz. 

Mix. 

It  appears  that  in  this  disease  there  is  a  morbid  impulse  directe<l 
to  various  parts,  which  results  in  local  accumulations,  rendering 
the  parts  turgid.  Then  the  blood  is  thrown  out  of  the  capillary 
vessels,  and  sometimes  they  suffer  a  rupture,  which  accounts  for 
the  engorgement  and  extravasation. 

As  there  is  generally  some  effusion  present  in  this  malady,  some 
good  may  be  accomplished  in  acting  slightly  on  the  kidneys ;  yst, 
as  the  pulse  and  respirations  are  both  accelerated,  the  ordinary 
diuretic  (sweet  spirits  of  niter)  is  not  admissible,  for  the  simple 
reason  that  it  is  too  stimulating;  therefore  I  recommend  the  use 
of  common  niter — half  an  ounce,  every  four  hours,  to  be  given  in 
a  little  water.  The  tumefied  tongue  should  bf  rubbed  often  with 
table  salt.  The  animal  does  not  require  any  kind  of  food  until 
amendment  takes  place.  The  best  drink  for  the  patient  is  cold 
water,  to  which  a  little  table  salt  may  be  added. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  OF  RESPIRATION.  51 

Pleurisy  and  Description  of  the  Pleura  : 

The  delicate,  transparent  membrane  which  lines  the  c-&>^ity  of 
the  thorax,  or  chest,  is  duplicated  as  an  external  tunic  on  the 
lungs,  and  forms  a  partition  called  mediastinum,  which  divides  the 
cavity  of  the  chest  into  two  equal  parts,  termed  right  and  left 
cavities  of  the  thorax.  It  is,  therefore,  a  reflected  membrane. 
That  portion  which  gives  a  lining  to  the  chest  is  termed  pleura 
costalis,  and  that  which  invests  the  lungs  is  called  pleura  pulmo- 
nalis,  although,  at  all  points,  they  are  precisely  similar  in  structure 
and  function.  The  pleura  is  called  a  serous  membrane.  It  is 
dense,  shining,  and  transparent ;  its  texture  is  penetrated  by  blood- 
vessels, nerves,  absorbents,  and  exhalents.  The  minute  ramifica- 
tions of  the  arteries  give  origin  to  a  vast  number  of  exhalents; 
and  these  furnish  a  serous  or  watery  vapor,  which  is  distributed 
over  every  part  of  the  pleura,  and  thus  all  friction  and  irritation 
is  prevented.  In  the  disease  known  as  hydrothorax  (dropsy  of 
the  chest),  the  effused  fluid  found  in  the  cavity  of  the  thorax  comes 
from  the  exhalents.  The  absorbents  play  a  very  different  part. 
Their  function  is  to  absorb  or  drink  up  any  superabundant  serum 
or  blood  that  may  be  found  in  the  chest.  The  fiinctions  of  these 
vessels,  however,  are  limited ;  for  when,  in  consequence  of  disease, 
augmented  serous  secretion  takes  place,  the  absorbents  are  unequal 
to  the  task  imposed  on  them,  consequently  the  subject  of  hydro- 
thorax  often  dies  with  his  chest  loaded  with  water. 

Symptoms. — This  disease  is  generally  ushered  in  like  other  febrile 
affections,  by  fever  and  trembling  of  the  fore  extremities.  The 
cough  accompanying  pleurisy  is  painful,  and  the  animal  tries  to 
suppress  it  as  much  as  possible.  The  breathing  is  not  laborious, 
but  short,  the  intercostal  muscles  not  admitting  of  their  usual  exten- 
sion and  contraction  without  intense  pain.  The  diaphragm  has  to 
perform  the  respiratory  movement,  without  the  aid  of  the  former 
muscles.  If  slight  pressure  be  made  on  the  intercostal  spaces,  be- 
tween the  ribs,  the  animal  will  evince  symptoms  of  intense  pain. 
If  a  person  attempts  to  back  the  patient,  the  latter  will  moan  or 
grunt,  and  be  very  unwilling  to  move.  The  patient  stands  with 
his  fore-legs  wide  apart,  and  seldom  if  ever,  lies  down.  On  ap- 
plying the  ear  to  the  sides  of  the  chest,  a  slight  sound,  resembling 
that  of  friction,  is  discernible.  This  is  probably  occasioned  by  the 
presence  of  effused  lymph  on  the  pleural  surfaces.     The  pulse  ia 


52  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

generally  quick,  tense,  and  small.  These  are  the  principal  symp- 
toms of  pleurisy  in  its  early  stage.  They  will  vary  as  the  disease 
progresses,  or  become  complicated.  The  minor  symptoms,  such 
as  loss  of  cud,  etc.,  are  not  worth  noticing,  as  they  are  present  in 
various  other  forms  of  disease. 

Treatment. — Give  two  drachms  of  fluid  extract  of  gelsemiuum 
every  four  hours.  This  acts  as  a  powerful  sedative,  and  will 
soon  afford  much  relief.  In  the  mean  time,  let  a  preparation  cf 
mustard  and  vinegar  be  applied  to  both  sides  of  the  chest  and 
breast.  The  patient  should  now  have  one  ounce  of  powdered 
chlorate  of  potass,  dissolved  in  flaxseed  tea  or  thin  gruel.  Tliis 
may  be  given  morning  and  evening.  Should  the  animal  refuse  to 
drink  it,  give  it  as  a  drench,  by  adding  to  it  one  pint  of  water.  Ir 
view  of  mitigating  the  cough  which  may  be  present,  and  of  reliev- 
ing pain,  the  patient  may  be  made  to  inhale  an  ounce  or  so  of  sul 
phuric  ether  from  a  sponge,  the  latter  being  merely  covered  with 
a  towel,  except  that  part  which  comes  in  contact  with  the  nostrils. 
It  would  not  be  proper  to  completely  etherize  the  animal,  bu^: 
merely  to  stupefy  him  for  a  time.  This  will  have  an  antispasmodi(» 
effect,  and  may  be  repeated,  or  not,  at  intervals  of  four  hours,  ac- 
cording to  the  nature  of  the  effects  produced. 

It  will  be  proper  to  administer  an  occasional  enema,  and  this 
should  be  of  an  antispasmodic  character;  therefore  an  infusion  of 
lobelia  is  recommended.  The  very  moment  the  animal  appears 
to  be  relieved  of  urgent  symptoms,  the  treatment  should  not  pro- 
ceed on  the  same  principles.  The  intention  should  be  to  guard 
against  debility  and  hydrothorax,  two  mortal  enemies  to  the  bovine 
species.  Golden  seal  and  buchu  are  the  best  remedies  to  prevent 
the  one-,  and  guard  against  the  consequences  of  the  latter.  They 
may  b .  given  in  the  following  proportions : 

Powdered  golden  seal 2  dr. 

Tincture  of  buchu 4  fluid  dr. 

Hyposulphite  of  soda 3  dr. 

Water 1  pint. 

This  quantity  is  sufficient  for  a  period  of  twenty-four  hours. 
The  animal  appearing  much  better  will  be  the  signal  to  discon- 
tin'ie  all  medical  treatment. 


^^^^M^^^P 


SECTION    III. 

DISEASES    OF    THE    DIGESTIVE    ORGANS. 

Obscription  of  the  (Esophagus — Foreign  Bodies  in  the  Gullet — CEsophagot- 
OMT — Laceration  of  the  (Esophagus — Aphth^s — Description  of  Stomach- 
Rumination — Bloat — Distension  of  the  Rumen  with  Food — Gastro-Intesti 
NAL  Inflammation— Dentition  of  Cattle— Synopsis  of  Dentition — Suspendei 
Rumination,  or  Loss  of  Cud — Inflammation  of  the  Bowels — Invaginatio> 
OF  Intestine — Diarrhea — Chronic  Diarrhea— Gut  Tie — Internal  Rupturi 
OF  Oxen — Flatulent  Colic — Spasm  of  the  Bowels — Constipation  of  Bowels 

Description  of  the  GEsophagus. 

THE  oesophagus,  or  gullet,  extends  from  the  mouth  to  the 
stomach,  and  passes  down  the  left  side  of  the  neck,  outside 
of  the  windpipe,  between  the  two  first  ribs,  and  then  runs  back- 
ward, along  the  upper  part  of  the  thorax,  until  it  reaches  the 
diaphragm.  Having  passed  through  the  latter,  it  enters  into  the 
mechanism  of  the  digestive  canal.  It  is  composed  of  three  coats. 
The  outer  one  is  made  up  of  cellular  substance,  and  admits  of 
much  distension.  The  middle  one  is  muscular,  and  composed  of 
two  layers,  arranged  spirally,  and  running  in  opposite  directions; 
that  is  to  say,  the  fibers  wind  round  the  gullet,  in  contrary  direc- 
tions. This  allows  or  aids  the  food  which  has  been  masticated  to 
pass  down  the  tube  into  the  first  compartment  of  the  stomach, 
viz.,  the  paunch,  and,  by  a  reverse  action  of  the  other  set  of  spi)-al 
muscular  fibers,  the  pellet  (cud)  ascends  into  the  mouth  for  re- 
mastication.  The  inner  or  third  coat  is  similar  in  structure  to 
the  pharyngeal  membrane,  or  that  which  lines  the  pharynx,  yel 
it  is  so  arranged  as  to  admit  of  considerable  distension. 


Foreign  Bodies  in  the  Gullet. 

W^hen  an  animal  attempts  to  swallow  a  substance  too  largp  for 
>\.    caliber  of  the  oesophagus,  u  becomes  impacted  in  the  sam*-  and 

(533 


54  bnL'VS  VETEIUNARV  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY 

the  creature  is  said  to  be  choked.  On  examining  the  left  side 
of  tlie  neck,  tlie  foreign  body  can  be  both  seen  and  felt.  When 
an  accident  of  this  character  occurs,  half  a  pint  of  olive  oil  should 
immediately  bo  administered.  This  will  lubricate  the  internal 
surface  of  the  oesophagus,  and  aid  us  when  attempting  to  force  the 
impacted  material  toward  the  stomach.  Before  any  attempts  are 
made  to  introduce  the  probang,  some  eflPorts  should  be  made  to 
manipulate  the  obstruction,  and  thus  force  it  downward.  If  it 
can  be  felt,  yet  can  not  be  moved  by  external  manipulation,  there 
is  veiy  little  chance  for  the  animal ;  yet  we  are  not  without  re- 
source. The  probang  is  our  remedy.  This  is  to  be  introduced 
through  the  mouth-piece  into  the  oesophagus.  Some  slight  degree 
of  force  may  be  used  to  push  the  obstruction  downward.  If  that 
fail,  no  time  should  be  lost  in  futile  efforts,  and  an  operation  must 
be  performed  termed  oesophagotomy. 

CESOPHAGOTOMY. 

This  operation  is  performed  as  follows : — Place  the  animal  in 
the  trevis,  or  cast,  and  etherize  him.  Then  make  an  incision  over 
the  region  of  the  obstruction,  through  the  skin  and  subcellular 
tissues.  The  oesophagus  will  then  be  seen.  The  only  vessels  in 
this  location  that  are  of  any  consequence  are  the  jugular  vein  and 
common  carotid  artery  ;  but  there  is  no  danger  of  wounding  them 
when  the  oesophagus  is  distended.  The  obstruction  having  been 
found,  an  incision  is  to  be  made  through  the  coats  of  the  gullet 
sufficiently  large  to  admit  of  the  extraction  of  the  incarcerated 
body.  So  soon  as  this  desirable  object  is  effected,  the  edges  of  the 
gullet  may  be  closed  by  sutures  or  stitches,  one  end  of  which 
should  be  cut  off  close  to  the  knot,  and  the  other  left  long  enough 
to  hang  out  of  the  external  wound.  The  integuments  are  then  to 
be  brought  together  by  another  set  of  stitches,  taking  care  to  leave 
a  small  orifice  at  the  lower  part  of  the  neck,  for  the  escape  of  any 
morbid  matter.  The  wound,  with  the  exception  of  this  orifice, 
should  be  well  coated  with  collodion  or  liquid  cuticle.  For  a  few 
days  after  the  operation,  the  patient  should  be  kept  on  a  light, 
8lo])py  diet,  sufficiently  seasoned  with  common  salt  to  prevent  fer- 
mentation. In  the  course  of  a  for.tnight  the  Avound  will  be  quite 
healed. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS. 


55 


Laceration  of  the  CEsoPHAors. 

This  accident  very  frequently  occurs  from  the  objectionable 
practice  of  attempting  to  force  a  foreign  body,  such  as  an  apple, 
potato,  or  turnip,  that  the  animal  has  greedily  attempted  to  swal- 
low, down  the  oesophagus  into  a  more  dilated  part  of  the  digestive 
apparatus,  by  means  of  such  rude  instruments  as  a  whip-stock  or 
common  stick,  in  lieu  of  a  proper  instrument,  known  as  a  probang. 
The  operator  sometimes  succeeds  in  removing  the  obstruction,  but 
soon  a  swelling  is  observed  in  the 
region  of  the  neck.  The  animal 
evinces  signs  of  pain,  and  symptoms 
of  suffocation  ensue.  In  such  cases 
it  is  evident  that  the  oesophagus  is 
ruptured.  The  following,  from  the 
author's  case-book,  is  introduced  in 
view  of  showing  the  folly  of  forci- 
bly removing  such  obstructions : 

October  10,  1855. — Saw  a  cow, 
at  Feltonville,  the  property  of  Mr. 
Welch  and  others.  The  animal 
had  calved  about  ten  days  previous, 
and  done  well.  Two  days  after 
parturition  she  was  purchased  by 
another  man  for  the  above  party, 
and  driven  to  her  new  home.  On 
the  way  thither  she  picked  up  an 
apple  and  got  choked.  The  apple 
was  discovered  in  the  upper  half 
of  the  oesophagus.  The  attendant 
tried  to  manipulate  it  either  one 
way  or  the  other,  but,  failing  in 
this,  he  procured  a  whip-stock,  and 
forced  the  foreign  body  toward  the 
rumen.     This  induced  convulsions, 

and  the  subject  threw  herself  violently  down,  with  the  whip-stock 
in  her  throat.  This  feat  she  repeated  several  times,  to  the  immi- 
nent danger  of  limb  and  life.  She  shortly,  however,  recovered, 
and  appeared  to  do  well,  and  the  next  day,  I  believe,  was  received 
by  the  above  firm.     After  a  brief  space,  she  appeared  to  be  "  ail- 


SECTION   OF  A    COV 


STOMACH. 


Explanation.—!,  A  portion  of  the  oesopha- 
gus, or  gullet;  2,  The  terminating  portion 
of  the  gullet;  3  3,  Lining  membrane  of  the 
first  compartment  of  the  stomach ;  4  4, 
Portions  of  the  lining  membrane  of  the 
second  compartment  of  the  stomach,  dis- 
sected and  raised,  so  as  to  show  the  mus- 
cular mechanism  beneath  it ;  .i  5,  The  lips 
of  the  demi-canal,  which  are  the  bounda- 
ries of  the  groove.  At  tlie  lower  part  is 
the  entrance  into  tlie  tliird  compartment 
of  the  stomach,  termed  "many-plies." 


56  DAOrS  VETERINARY  MEDICLVE  ANb  SURGERY. 

Inji,"  and  the  o^s'ners,  thinking  the  apple  was  the  cause  of  the 
same,  gave  her  a  full  dose  of  oil.  Soon  afterward  inverted  peri- 
staltic action  took  place,  and,  whenever  she  attempted  to  swallow 
fluids  or  solids,  vomiting  or  regurgitation  took  place.  This  was 
her  condition  at  the  same  time  I  saw  her — ten  days  after  the  first 
attack.  I  prescribed  alkalies  and  counter-irritation.  Next  day 
she  appeared  better ;  that  is,  the  vomiting  had  ceased.  She  was 
then  drenched  Avith  Glauber  salts  and  spearmint,  and  during  the 
next  day  received  several  alkaline  injections,  and  such  other  treat- 
ment as  the  urgency  of  the  case  seemed  to  require.  Notwithstand- 
ing this,  she  died  on  the  third  day  from  my  first  visit.  The  owner, 
in  accordance  with  my  request,  notified  me  of  the  death,  and  I  made 
an  autopsy.  The  heart,  lungs,  liver,  spleen,  pancreas,  kidneys, 
stomach,  and  bowels  all  appeared  in  a  healthy  state.  They  pre- 
sented, however,  evidences  of  debility,  in  the  condensation  and 
pale  aspect  of  their  tissues.  The  omentum-caul  was  exceedingly 
dense,  scarcely  thicker  than  a  piece  of  Avriting  paper.  Tracing 
the  oesophagus  internally  from  the  mouth  to  its  termination,  or 
base,  there  were  no  symptoms  of  laceration  or  inflammation  ;  but 
in  the  dilated  portion  of  the  same,  which  is  contiguous,  and  re- 
ceives food  after  primary  mastication,  I  found  a  mass  of  juvenile 
corn-stalks,  about  the  size  of  a  man's  fist,  and  twice  the  length  of 
the  same — seven  inches.  This  part  being  considered  as  the  ter- 
mination of  the  oesophagus,  and  commencing  link  of  the  stomach, 
was  distended  beyond  its  ordinary  capacity,  and  in  a  high  state  t»f 
gangrene  (mortification),  and  particles  of  corn-stalk  were  protrud- 
ing through  its  disorganized  and  lacerated  tissues.  This  accounld 
for  the  death ;  but  the  reader  will  probably  want  to  know  some- 
thing about  the  cause,  and  may,  possibly,  say  that  the  whip-stock 
was  the  exciting  one.  This  would  appear,  on  first  thought,  as  a 
rational  conclusion,  because  many  valuable  animals,  both  in  thia 
and  the  mother  country  (as  records  show)  have  been  destroyed  by 
lacerating  the  oesophagus  with  the  above  or  some  such  instrument ; 
and  we  might  reasonably  assign  the  cause  of  death  to  the  same, 
and  thus  terminate  this  article.  But  my  readers,  I  opine,  desire 
the  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth.  I  am  satisfied  that  the 
whip-stock,  however  injurious  it  may  have  been  in  other  cases 
(and  it  is  in  most  cases  an  objectionable  remedy),  was  inonerative 
\k  this ;  that  is,  so  far  as  the  vitality  of  the  animal  was  concerned. 
Now  for  the  proof     The  seat  of  the  disease  proved  to  be,  by  carp- 


DISEASES   OF   THE   DIGESTIVE   ORGANS.  57 

fill  measurement,  forty-three  inches  from  the  tip  of  the  lips.  The 
whip-stock  was  thi-ee  feet  six  inches  in  length,  and,  according  to 
the  testimony  of  the  operator  and  others,  six  or  eight  inches  of  the 
same  never  entered  the  mouth.  Computing  the  medium  at  seven 
inches,  the  reader  will  perceive  that  the  diseased  location  was  just 
seven  inches  beyond  the  reach  of  the  instrument. 

H  f  Av,  then,  are  we  to  account  for  the  death  of  the  animal  ?  I 
shall  try  to  satisfy  the  reader  on  this  point.  The  animal,  at  the 
time  of  purchase,  had  not  recovered  from  the  pain,  labor,  and  ex- 
c'tement  of  parturition.  She  was  an  invalid;  in  the  same  condi- 
tion, yel  less  well  provided  for  than  her  lordly  mistress,  who  has 
the  advantages  of  science,  skill,  and  sympathy  to  alleviate  her 
woes  and  mitigate  her  pains.  The  poor  brute  was  compelled  to 
perform  a  journey  when  she  ought  to  have  been  kept  at  rest,  and 
kindly  cared  for.  The  common  sympathies  of  our  race  ought  to 
have  been  extended  to  her.  She  ought  to  have  been  dosed  with 
groaning  cordial,  instead  of  corn-stalks ;  and,  instead  of  perform- 
ing a  journey  through  apple  orchards,  she  ought  to  have  been  kept 
at  home  until  health  and  strength  reappeared. 

Changes  in  food,  location,  and  barn  management,  are,  at  times, 
and  under  certain  circumstances,  operative  in  inducing  disease, 
especially  when  the  subject  be  in  a  weak  or  delicate  condition. 
Corn-stalks,  therefore,  being  very  indigestible,  tend  to  overtax  and 
irritate  the  stomach,  and  the  oil,  probably,  induced  nausea.  In 
efforts  at  vomiting,  the  rough  particles  of  food  found  a  lodgment 
at  the  point  indicated,  where  they  accumulated,  produced  irrita- 
tion, inflammation,  and,  finally,  mortification.  The  direct  cause 
of  death,  therefore,  was  obstruction  within  the  gullet ;  the  morbid 
appearances  were  the  consequence  of  the  same. 

The  best  instrument  I  know  of  for  the  accident  of  choking,  or 
obstruction  within  the  gullet,  is  a  flexible  probang;  but,  as  that 
instrument  is  not  always  to  be  obtained,  every  farmer  should  be 
provided  with  the  next  best  instrument,  which  consists  of  a  piece 
of  smooth,  flexible  rattan,  about  five  feet  in  length,  armed  at  one 
eni  with  an  oblong  ivory  ball,  which  must  be  securely  fastened. 
If  much  force  be  used,  laceration  of  the  oesophagus  is  apt  to  occur ; 
therefore,  if  the  foreign  body  will  not  yield  to  gentle  pressure,  I 
should  pour  down  a  little  olive  oil,  wait  awhile,  and  then  try  the 
probang  again.  If,  however,  the  foreign  body  can  be  detected, 
*>nd  the  probang  fails  to  remove  it,  we  should  immediately  per'*  rrs 


58  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

the  oi)eration  of  oesophagotomy,  which  consists  of  making  an  open- 
ing into  the  gullet  large  enough  to  remove  the  former,  and  then 
bringing  the  divided  edges  together  again  by  means  of  suture* 
(stitches). 

Cases  like  the  above  (when  the  medical  man  is  not  called  on 
intil  after  the  lapse  of  several  days  from  the  time  of  the  accident) 
do  not  admit  of  the  introduction  of  a  probang. 

The  following  case,  which  occurred  in  the  practice  of  W.  San- 
ders, student  Royal  Veterinary  College,  goes  to  show  that  an  ani-  • 
mal  should  never  be  consigned  to  death  until  the  skill  of  a  qualified 
person  proves  unavailing :  "  In  the  month  of  March,  a  young 
Alderney  cow  became  choked  with  a  Swede  turnip,  which  was  found 
to  be  impacted  'about  the  termination  of  the  third  of  the  cervical 
portion  of  the  oesophagus.  The  owner  immediately  sent  for  a 
person  whom  he  had  been  in  the  habit  of  employing,  but  who, 
not  having  a  proper  probang,  substituted  a  common  ash  stick. 
After  some  difficulty,  the  obstruction  in  this  way  was  removed. 
In  the  course  of  a  fortnight  the  neck  was  found  much  swollen,  and 
the  animal  not  only  evinced  a  great  deal  of  pain,  but  sometimes, 
as  I  was  informed,  appeared  as  though  threatened  with  suffocation. 
It  was  supposed  that  the  oesophagus  must  be  ruptured,  in  conse- 
quence of,  as  it  appeared,  a  considerable  portion  of  food  having 
protruded  between  the  muscles  of  the  neck,  just  anterior  to  the 
sternum.  A  small  orifice  was  made  through  the  skin,  and  a  por- 
tion of  the  food  (for  food  it  proved  to  be)  removed.  The  cow 
continued  to  get  worse  for  several  days,  and  putrefaction  had  ap- 
parently commenced.  The  attendant  now  advised  the  owner  to 
have  the  cow  slaughtered;  but,  as  her  condition  precluded  the 
prospect  of  selling  her  advantageously,  it  was  deemed  expedient 
to  risk  the  chances  of  recovery,  especially  as  she  was  young  and  in 
calf.  Under  these  circumstances,  my  brother,  who  resides  in  that 
locality,  was  consulted.  On  his  arrival  he  gave  but  little  hopes 
of  recovery,  seeing  she  was  to  so  great  a  degree  debilitated.  A 
stimulant  was  administered,  and  an  incision,  about  seven  inches 
in  length,  was  made  in  the  most  depending  part  of  the  swelling, 
through  which  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  peck  of  food  was  removed 
from  between  the  muscles.  The  wound  being  now  held  open,  and 
a  candle  placed  in  front,  the  rupture  of  the  oesophagus  became 
quite  ai>parent.  It  proved  full  three  inches  in  length.  The 
wound  was  cleaned.     A  common  side-saddle  was  placed  upon  her 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.  59 

back,  and  fastened  on  with  a  girth  in  the  usual  manner ;  a  small- 
tsized  piece  of  ash-wood  was  shaved  so  as  to  render  it  pliable  at 
one  end.  The  large  end  was  then  tied  to  the  crupper-loop  of  the 
saddle^  and  passed  then  between  the  pummels,  which  kept  it  in 
its  place,  and  elevated  it  half  way  along  the  neck.  The  oesopha- 
gus at  this  part  being  rather  deep-seated  within  the  loose  fleshy 
part  of  the  dewlap,  it  was  not  convenient  to  pass  sutures  through 
thfe  (idges  of  the  laceration.  A  pledget  of  tow,  dipped  in  some 
digestive,  was  put  into  the  wound,  and  pressed  against  the  ruptured 
part.  A  pad  of  flannel  was  then  placed  over  the  outside,  and  a 
broad  bandage,  with  some  thin  but  flat  pieces  of  wood  sewn  to  it, 
to  prevent  its  becoming  too  narrow.  This  was  carried  round  and 
over  the  stick  above  the  neck,  which,  being  pliable,  acted  as  a 
spring,  that  kept  a  moderate  but  equal  pressure  as  she  moved  her 
head  up  and  down.  She  was  mainly  supported  upon  gruel  made 
of  barley  and  bean  and  wheat  flour ;  but  in  addition,  occasion- 
ally, was  allowed  a  little  green  food.  Tonics  and  stimulants 
were  administered.  Any  food  that  accumulated  in  the  wound  was 
removed,  and  it  was  regularly  dressed  twice  a  day.  Three  weeks 
after  she  calved  a  live  calf;  but,  from  the  weakness  before  partu- 
rition, she  became  so  reduced  as  to  require  assistance  to  get  up  for 
a  short  time.  I  went  home  fi-om  college  on  the  6th  of  May.  On 
the  8th  I  saw  her  myself.  There  was  then  a  small  circular  open- 
ing, leading  into  the  oesophagus,  sufficiently  large  to  admit  the 
finger,  which  was  prevented  healing  by  the  frequent  escape  of 
food.  The  edges  of  the  wound  were  thickened,  and  apparently 
healed  over.  They  were  occasionally  scarified,  with  the  view  of 
promoting  cicatrization;  for  it  was  my  opinion  that,  should  the 
\^'ound  heal,  it  would  leave  a  stricture  in  that  part  of  the  tube,  and 
consequently  render  the  animal  susceptible  of  berjoming  again 
choked.  The  food  continued  to  pass,  more  or  less,  through  the 
opening  until  the  beginning  of  June,  when  the  wound  became 
entirely  closed.  Since  then  she  has  become  again  in  calf,  and 
from  that  has  continued  to  go  on  well ;  nor  has  she  ever,  that  I 
am  aware,  again  shown  any  symptoms  of  choking,  although  she 
has  taken  her  chance  as  to  the  nature  of  her  food.  She  is  still  in 
the  same  person's  possession ;  consequently  I  know,  from  the  in- 
formation I  have  received,  that  she  continues,  up  to  the  present 
time,  apparently  as  well  as  ever  she  was;  and  it  is  now  eight 
months  since  the  wound  healed  over." 


DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURQEBT. 


Aphtha. 

This  disease  is  commonly  known  as  "  thrush,  or  sore  mouth. 
It  appears  as  a  vesicular  eruption  on  the  tongue,  gums,  and  on  the 
buwal  and  palatine  membrane.  When  the  disease  is  mild,  and 
confined  to  the  above  parts,  it  is  easily  cured  by  daily  applications 
of  a  portion  of  the  following : 

Powdered  golden  seal 2  oz. 

Tincture  of  matico 1  oz. 

Honey 4  oz. 

Mix. 

Apply  by  means  of  a  swab  or  sponge. 

"When  the  disease  is  violent  and  of  long  standing,  it  is  apt  to 
extend  through  the  whole  course  of  the  alimentary  canal,  from  the 
mouth  to  the  anus.  If  this  be  the  case,  the  animal  will  purge,  as 
if  a  powerful  cathartic  had  been  administered,  and  will  be  other- 
wise unwell.  The  method  of  cure,  in  this  event,  is  to  prescribe 
tonics  and  astringents.  The  remedies  are  tincture  of  matico, 
golden  seal,  and  sulphur,  in  the  following  proportions : 

Tincture  of  matico 4  dr. 

Powdered  golden  seal 2  dr. 

Sulphur 2  dr. 

Water 1  pint. 

Mix. 

The  patient's  diet  should  consist  of  oatmeal  gruel,  slightly 
alkalized  with  hyposulphite  of  soda. 

The  following  article  upon  epizootic  aphthae  is  from  the  "Vet- 
erinarian :" 

"  Epizootic  aphthae,  commonly  known  as  foot  and  mouth  coiq- 
plaint,  is  a  febrile,  very  contagious,  and  panzootic  affection  ;  that 
is,  readily  communicable  from  one  species  to  another — met  with  in 
the  horse,  goat,  pig,  fowl,  hare,  etc.,  but  most  commonly  in  the 
ox  and  sheep,  in  which  two  last-mentioned  animals  it  consists  of 
vesicles  breaking  out  on  the  mouth,  gums,  lips,  teats,  and  around 
the  coronary  surface  of  the  foot,  between  the  skin  and  the  hoof. 
It  is  an  epizootic  affection,  spreading  over  large  tracts  of  country, 
interfering  very  seriously  with  the  capability  of  the  ox  to  put  on 
fat  ^  while  preparing  for  the  butcher,'  and  in  the  milch  cow,  ren- 
dering the  supply  of  milk  small,  if  not  altogether  suspending  it. 
In  this  disease  the  ox  exhibits  the  following  symptoms  •     Suspen- 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.  61 

«ion  of  rumination ;  constipation ;  sometimes,  though  rai-ely,  diar- 
rhea ;  great  flow  of  saliva  from  the  mouth,  and  severe  lameness. 
Milk  taken  from  cows  affected  with  this  disease  should  never 
be  drank,  as  it  will  most  readily  produce  aphthse  in  man.  To 
prove  this  fact,  Professor  Hertwig,  together  with  tAVO  medical 
men,  Mann  and  Vilion,  drank  the  warm  milk  of  an  aphthous 
cow,  and  the  result  was  that  each  became  the  subjects  of  severe 
inflammation  of  the  throat,  associated  with  the  vesicular  eruptions 
mentioned  above  as  indicative  of  this  malady.  Professor  Simonds 
also  gave  the  warm  milk  of  an  aphthous  cow  to  pigs,  with  a  simi- 
lar result." 

Description  of  the  Stomach. 

The  stomach  of  a  ruminating  animal  presents  a  very  complex 
arrangement,  of  which  the  purpose  seems  to  be  to  favor  the  me- 
chanical reduction  of  the  food,  and  its  impregnation  by  the  salivial 
and  gastric  fluids,  before  it  is  subjected  to  the  action  of  the  biliary 
and  pancreatic  juices. 

The  stomach  of  an  ox  is  divided  into  four  parts  or  cavities,  viz.t 
rumen,  or  paunch  ;  reticulum,  manyplus,  abomasum. 

The  rumen,  like  the  oesophagus,  is  composed  of  three  coats.  The 
internal  one  is  studded  with  numerous  papillae,  which  incline  in 
the  direction  that  the  food  takes.  They  are  erectile,  and  by  inclin- 
ing in  different  directions,  they  can,  to  a  certain  extent,  favor  or 
'  ppose  the  passage  of  food. 

The  openings  into  the  rumen  are  two — one  at  the  base  of  the 
oesophagus,  through  which  the  food  and  fluids  pass ;  the  other  is 
below  this.  It  is  much  larger,  and  communicates  with  the  second 
stomach.  The  paunch  is  not  so  highly  organized  as  some  other 
parts  of  the  stomach.  This  compartment  is  capable  of  extraordi- 
nary distension,  and,  in  some  cases  of  tympanites,  becomes  so  dis- 
tended as  to  produce  suffocation  by  pressure  on  the  diaphragm  and 
'ungs. 

The  reticulum,  or  second  stomach,  sometimes  called  the  honey- 
comb, presents  a  very  irregular  surface,  consisting  of  open  cells, 
•■  erying  in  size  and  depth,  looking  very  much  like  a  piece  of 
honeycomb  on  a  large  scale.  There  are  two  openings  into  this 
stomach — one  through  the  floor  of  the  gullet,  the  other  into  the 
i^aunch.  The  pellet  of  food  to  be  returned  for  remastication  i» 
thrown  into  the  oesophagean  canal  by  the  reticulum. 


62  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

The  manyplus,  sometimes  called  manyplies  or  manyfolds,  is 
made  up  internally  of  laminae,  or  leaves,  which  hang  down  from 
every  part  of  it.  By  this  arrangement  an  immense  digestive  sur- 
face is  crowded  into  a  small  space.  The  cuticular  covering  of 
these  leaves  or  laminae  is  very  singular.  It  is  thickly  studded  with 
eminences,  varying  in  size  and  form.  In  some  plares  they  resemble 
little  hooks,  others  look  like  papillae;  some  are  ?oft,  others  irf 
hard  and  durable,  like  horn.  The  function  of  the  laminae  anil 
papillae  is  to  comminute  and  properly  prepare  the  food  ere  U 
enters  the  fourth  compartment. 

The  abomasum  is  the  true  digestive  stomach.  Its  function  is  to 
secrete  the  gastric  juice;  at  least  the  gastric  juice  is  secreted  by 
small  glandular  bodies,  having  ducts  which  terminate  on  the 
villous  membrane,  which  lines  the  abomasum.  The  lower  orifice 
of  this  part  of  the  stomach  is  termed  pylorus.  It  is  guarded  by  a 
projecting  body,  which  answers  the  purpose  of  a  sphincter  muscle, 
to  guard  against  regurgitation  from  the  duodenum. 


Rumination,  or  Remastication  and  Ingestion  of  Food. 

The  ox,  a  member  of  the  group  ruminantia,  has  four  compart- 
ments in  the  stomach,  yet  two  of  them  are  nothing  more  than 
dilatations  of  the  oesophagus. 

The  food  having  been  gathered  by  the  lips,  tongue,  and  teeth 
within  the  mouth,  it  undergoes  a  grinding  process  between  the 
molars,  and  receives  the  admixture  of  salivial  fluids  secreted  by 
the  submaxillary,  parotid,  thyroid,  and  sublingual  glands.  It  then 
passes  down  the  oesophagus  into  the  paunch.  The  character  of  the 
food,  however,  regulates  its  passage  into  the  various  compart- 
ments. If  the  pellet  of  food  be  solid,  the  paunch  receives  it ;  if  it 
be  semi-fluids,  it  goes  beyond  the  paunch  to  the  second  and  per- 
haps third  compartment.  This  is  the  case  with  a  sucking  calf. 
The  milk,  which  forms  its  nutriment,  requires  no  remastication, 
and,  therefore,  passes  directly  into  the  true  digestive  cavit}' — the 
fourth  compartment. 

It  appears,  therefore,  that  the  functions  of  digestion  and  remas- 
tication are  involuntary,  and  are  governed  by  the  same  sort  of 
power  which  causes  the  heart  to  pulsate,  expands  the  lungs,  se- 
cretes the  bile,  pancreatic  juice,  etc.,  without  the  aid  or  consent 
of  the  animal.     We  may,  however,  to  a  certain  extent,  increase 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.  6i> 

or  decrea&e  these  functions,  by  artificial  means ;  but  their  primary 
operations  are  uncontrollable,  simply  because  they  are  involun- 
tary. Some  persons  have  doubted  the  fact  of  rumination,  and  if 
any  of  my  readers  be  skeptical  on  this 'subject,  let  them  satisfy 
themselves  by  experiment.  The  best  subjects  for  demonstrating 
the  acts  of  rumination  are  animals  with  lean  necks.  For  exam- 
pis,  let  a  person  stand  on  the  left  side  of  the  animal,  in  the  region 
of  the  neck  (supposing  the  latter  to  be  in  the  ruminating  mood). 
He  perceives  the  cud  re-ascend  through  the  gullet,  and  re-descend 
Again  into  the  stomach.  At  the  period  of  re-ascension,  place  the 
ear  in  the  region  of  the  gullet,  and  a  gurgling  sound  will  be  heard, 
different  from  that  accompanying  re-descension.  The  action  has 
been  described  as  undulating,  alternate,  coming  and  going,  like 
the  motion  of  a  ship;  but  this  is  regulated  by  the  respiratory 
movements  and  different  attitudes  of  the  body.  "We  can,  how- 
ever, at  the  moment  of  the  reascent,  perceive  a  flank  movement, 
deep  inspiration,  succeeded  by  a  rapid  expiration,  showing  con- 
clusively that  a  powerful  nervous  concurrent  force  (involuntary) 
controls  the  action  of  rumination. 

Finally,  the  cud  can  be  made  to  ascend  or  descend,  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner :  We  perceive  the  cud  descend ;  now  grasp  the 
gullet  firmly,  and  it  re-ascends  into  the  mouth.  We  next  perceive 
the  cud  ascending;  arrest  it  by  compressing  the  gullet,  and  it 
rapidly  descends  again  into  the  stomach;  hence  the  phenomenon 
of  remastication  can  readily  be  demonstrated. 

The  solid  food,  when  once  in  the  paunch,  receives  the  admix- 
ture of  fluid  secreted  from  its  walls.  After  maceration  for  a  short 
time,  the  more  solid  parts  are  returned  to  the  mouth,  where  they 
undergo  another  mastication,  and  are  again  saturated  with  the 
salivial  fluids  and  swallowed.  If  properly  masticated  it  reaches 
the  third  stomach  (manyplus  or  omasum).  Here  it  undergoes  a 
further  reduction,  becomes  quite  pulpy,  after  which  it  enters  the 
fourth  stomach. 

Caepenter  thus  describes  the  phenomena  of  rumination ; 
'•  The  direction  of  the  food  into  one  or  the  other  of  the  digestive 
cavities,  appears  to  be  affected  without  any  voluntary  effort  on 
the  part  of  the  animal  itself,  but  to  result  simply  from  the  very 
peculiar  endowments  of  the  lower  part  of  the  oesophagus.  This 
does  not  entirely  terminate  at  its  opening  into  the  first  stomach  or 
paunch,  but  it  is  continued  onward  as  a  deep  gro'  '.'e  with  two 


64  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGEt^Y. 

lips.  By  the  closure  of  these  lips  it  is  made  to  form  a  tube. 
which  serves  to  convey  the  food  onward  into  the  tl  ird  stomach ; 
but  Avhen  they  separate,  the  food  is  allowed  to  pass  •  dther  into  the 
first  or  second  stomach.  When  the  food  is  first  sw:  llowed,  it  has 
undergone  but  very  little  mastication ;  it  is,  conseq  lently,  firm  in 
consistence,  and  is  brought  down  to  the  termination  of  the  oeso- 
phagus in  dry  bulky  masses.  These  separate  the  lips  of  the 
groove  or  demi-canal,  and  pass  into  the  first  and  second  stomachs 
After  they  have  been  macerated  in  the  fluids  of  these  '"^vities, 
they  are  returned  to  the  mouth  by  a  reverse  peristaltic  action  of 
the  oesophagus.  This  return  takes  place  in  a  very  reguliir  man- 
ner, the  food  being  shaped  into  globular  pellets  by  compression 
within  a  sort  of  mold  formed  by  the  ends  of  the  derrd-canal, 
drawn  together,  and  these  being  conveyed  to  the  mouth  at 
regular  intervals,  apparently  by  a  rhythmical  movement  of  the 
oesophagus.  After  its  second  mastication,  it  is  again  swallowed 
in  a  pulpy  semi-fluid  state.  It  now  passes  along  the  groove 
which  forms  the  continuation  of  the  oesophagus,  without  opening 
its  lips,  and  is  thus  conveyed  into  the  third  stomach,  whence  it 
passes  to  the  fourth." 


Bloat,  Hoven,  or  Tympanites. 

The  term  "  bloat "  has  long  been  discarded  by  veterinarians  as 
an  indefinite  term^  signifying  a  state  of  turgescence,  dilation,  in- 
flation, or  puffiness,  which  is  merely  indicative  of  changes  in  the 
form  and  condition  of  parts,  without  regard  to  the  actual  seat  or 
nature  of  the  difficulty.  For  example,  a  horse  is  bloated  when 
he  becomes  the  subject  of  subcellular  emphysema  (distension  of 
the  cellular  membrane  beneath  the  skin  with  gas),  or  oedema 
'dropsical  tumefaction),  etc.  However,  as  every  farmer  appears 
to  be  somewhat  conversant  with  the  condition  of  the  animal 
known  as  "bloat,"  or  "hoven,"  we  shall  not  offer  any  remarks 
calculated  to  mystify  him,  but  merely  suggest  that  the  term  tym- 
panites be  substituted  for  "  bloat."  Tympanites  intestinalis  signifies 
a  distension  of  the  intestines  with  wind  or  gas,  accompanied  by 
an  elastic  distension  of  the  abdomen.  The  latter,  when  struck  or 
sounded  by  a  blow,  sounds  like  a  drum,  and  indicates  a  windy 
distension  of  the  abdominal  viscera  (a  bowel  or  organ  within  the 
I'ody),  commonly  kno^n  as  flatulent  colic.     Tyviponites  rumemtw 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.  6o 

signifies  distension  of  the  rumen  in  the  bovine  species — the  ox 
and  cow — and,  in  the  phraseology  of  the  grazier,  is  known  as 
bloat  or  hoven. 

Causes. — The  direct  cause  of  flatulency  and  windy  distension 
is  imperfect  digestion.  In  such  cases  the  food,  instead  of  under- 
going the  normal  process  of  digestion,  whereby  it  is  converted 
into  chyme  and  chyle,  ferments  and  evolves  gases,  either  carbonic 
acid,  or  sulphureted  hydrogen,  and,  as  "  a  little  leaven  leavens  the 
whole  loaf,"  so  the  fermentation,  once  commenced  in  the  stomach, 
goes  on  until  the  food  is  in  a  state  of  putrefaction,  or  up  to  the 
period  when  all  its  gaseous  material  has  been  extracted.  Before 
this  takes  place,  it  frequently  happens  that  the  animal  dies,  either 
bv  rupture  of  the  rumen  or  some  portion  of  the  abdominal  viscera. 
In  some  cases,  unrelieved,  the  distension  is  so  great  that  the  ani- 
mal dies  in  a  state  of  suffocation,  occasioned  by  the  pressure  on 
the  diaphragm,  and  other  important  parts  and  organs. 

Imperfect  indigestion  may  be  occasioned  by  a  deranged  condi- 
tion of  the  digestive  organs,  induced  by  various  causes,  such  as 
give  rise  to  the  same  phenomena  in  man,  namely,  errors  in  diet,  or 
sudden  changes  of  the  same.  Thus,  if  stall-fed  animals  be  turned 
into  a  field  of  clover,  or  into  a  luxuriant  pasture,  they  not  only  eat 
greedily,  and  create  an  undue  distension  of  the  stomach,  but  they 
partake  of  food  containing  a  large  amount  of  aqueous  matter, 
whieh^  every  one  knows,  is  more  indigestible  than  dry  food ;  and 
such  a  sudden  change  of  diet  is  not  always  to  be  tolerated.  There 
nan  be  no  dispute  about  the  causes  of  bloat,  hoven,  or  tympanites. 
It  evidently  is  occasioned  by  imperfect  digestion.  As  a  general 
proposition,  therefore,  we  may  contend  that  all  indigestible  matter 
may,  directly  or  indirectly,  produce  a  tj'mpany  of  the  abdominal 
viscera  ;  and  we  may  also  contend  that  an  animal  may  occasion- 
ally become  tympanitic,  under  the  most  intelligent  management, 
owing  to  some  inherent  idiosyncrasy  in  the  local  organs,  honestly 
inherited  from  sire  or  dam,  or  their  ancestors.  Hence,  the  reader 
will  infer  that  this  dyspepsia,  or  indigestion,  is,  like  various  other 
diseases  which  seem  to  appear  without  any  direct  cause,  transmis- 
sible, not  always  directly,  but  by  predisposition  to  this  and  other 
maladies,  which  is  said  "  to  lurk  in  breed  and  conformation,"  over 
which  we  have  but  little  control  other  than  palliative. 

Trmtmeni. — Supposing  the  abdomen  to  be  distended  to  its  ut 
rac^:  cspacity  by  the  extricated  gas.  and  the  animal  is  oppresse'J 


66  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  STJRriERi 

and  distressed  in  the  act  of  breathing,  there  is  no  time  to  be  loiat. 
It  is  useless  to  resort  to  drug  medication.  The  case  is  imminent. 
The  gas  must  be  evacuated  immediately,  and  we  therefore  punc- 
ture the  flank  on  the  left  side,  in  its  most  salient  region,  by  means 
of  the  trocar  and  canula  (an  instrument  somewhat  similar  to  that 
tised  for  tapping  the  chest).  Immediate  escape  of  the  gas  is  the 
i-esult,  and  the  patient  is  soon  relieved.  Now  we  may  resort  to 
medication,  and  that  medicine  is  the  best  which  is  calculated  U. 
arouse  the  action  of  the  stomach  and  arrest  fermentation.  With 
these  objects  in  view,  I  recommend  the  following: 

Hyposulphite  of  soda. ...      4  dr. 

Tincture  of  ginger 2  oz. 

Water 1  pint. 

Dissolve  the  hyposulphite  in  the  water,  and  then  add  the  tinc- 
ture of  ginger.  Drench  the  animal  with  the  same.  If  the  tinc- 
ture of  ginger  can  not  be  obtained,  then  substitute  four  drachms 
of  the  pulverized  root.  If  the  case  be  curable,  the  above  treat- 
ment is  almost  sure  to  afford  relief.  The  medicine,  however,  may 
be  repeated  at  the  end  of  four  hours,  if  necessary. 

Remarks  on  the  introduction  of  the  Trocar. — Having  ascertained 
that  the  animal  is  in  a  dangerous  condition,  owing  to  the  great 
quantity  of  gas  present  within  the  rumen,  the  most  prominent 
point  of  the  left  flank  should  then  be  selected.  Here  make  an 
incision  through  the  integument,  sufficiently  large  to  admit  the' 
instrument.  Then  draw  the  skin  upward,  and  puncture  the  ab- 
domen ;  in  this  way  we  make  an  indirect  opening,  so  that,  when 
the  trocar  is  withdrawn,  the  integument  covers  the  orifice  made 
last.  The  trocar  must  be  kept  very  sharp  or  keen,  so  that  it  may, 
without  using  much  force,  penetrate  the  peritoneum,  and,  lastly, 
the  rumen.  Once  within  the  latter,  all  resistance  ceases.  The 
trocar  is  now  withdrawn,  and  the  canula  remains,  for  the  passage 
of  the  gas.  In  bad  cases,  the  moment  the  cutting  instrument  ia 
withdrawn  from  its  sheath,  the  gas  will  escape,  with  a  noise  resem- 
bling a  steam-whistle,  which  conveys  to  us  the  idea  that  we  are  in 
the  presence  of  a  living  locomotive,  issuing  a  blast  of  warning  to 
keep  out  of  smelling  distance,  for  ofttimes  the  odor  is  intolerable. 

It  is  best  to  let  the  tube  remain  in  the  stomach  or  paunch  until 
the  abdomen  is  reduced  to  about  its  natura'  size.  The  instrument 
must  occasionally  be  drawn  forth  a  little,  ^v  pushed  forwar  I.  as 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.  67 

the  case  req aires;  and  when  it  becomes  obstructed  with  any  por- 
tion of  the  contents  of  the  stomach,  a  quill  or  straw  may  be  used 
to  clear  the  obstruction,  and,  as  the  gas  escapes  and  the  paunch  or 
bowels  recede,  the  canula,  which  is  about  six  inches  in  len^h. 
must  be  pushed  forward  as  far  as  it  will  go. 

Eelief  may  sometimes  be  obtained  by  passing  the  probang  into 
the  stomach,  and  I  should  advise  its  use  in  such  eases  as  those  at- 
tended by  eructation  of  wind  by  the  mouth  from  the  stomach. 

Distension  of  the  Rumen  with  Food. 

It  occasionally  happens  that  the  function  of  the  stomach,  as  a 
whole  or  a  part  of  the  same,  become  impaired.  The  food  is  then 
very  apt  to  accumulate  in  the  rumen.  Or  it  may  happen  that  an 
animal  has  partaken  voraciously  of  meal  or  corn,  which,  becoming 
satuiited  with  the  fluid  found  in  the  paunch,  swells  to  such  an 
extent  that  there  is  danger  of  its  bursting. 

Symptoms. — At  first  the  animal  is  noticed  to  be  uneasy,  and  fre- 
quently shifts  its  position ;  occasionally  moans ;  the  left  flank  is 
swollen  and  hard.  This  swelling  may  be  determined  by  a  person 
taking  a  position  directly  behind  the  animal ;  he  will  immediately 
perceive  the  enlargement.  On  striking  the  part  with  the  hand,  it 
has  no  drum-like  (tympanitic)  sound,  as  in  hoven  or  bloat,  but  has 
a  solid  sound,  showing  that  the  distention  is  owing  to  the  presence 
of  a  quantity  of  solid  food.  Should  the  medicinal  preparations 
full  to  relieve  the  animal,  rumination  then  ceases,  the  symptoms 
kecome  aggravated,  the  brain  sympathizes,  unconsciousness  and 
convulsions  occur,  which  soon  end  in  death. 

Treatment. — In  cases  of  extreme  distension,  it  is  all  fo]ly  to 
waste  time  in  administering  medicine.  An  incision,  about  five 
inches  in  length,  should  be  made  through  the  left  flank  into  the 
stomach.  Then,  by  means  of  the  hand,  the  indigestible  mass  is  to 
be  removed.  This  should  be  done  carefully,  so  as  to  prevent  the 
food  falling  into  the  abdominal  cavity.  The  incision  made  into 
the  rumen  is  then  to  be  stitched,  or  sutured ;  and,  lastly,  the  integ- 
uments are  brought  together  in  the  same  v.'ay.  It  may  be  proper 
to  apply  a  little  tincture  of  matico  or  tincture  of  aloes  to  the 
wound.  Having  finished  the  operation,  the  next  object  is  to 
arouse  the  action  of  the  stomach,  for  which  purpose  I  recommend 
the  followina; : 


68  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

Fowdered  golden  seal 3  dr. 

Hyposulphite  of  soda 4  dr. 

Powdered  ginger . .  2  dr. 

Warm  water 1   pint. 

Mix. 

Drench  from  a  bottle.  The  patient  had  better  be  kept  hungry 
the  first  twenty-four  hours  after  the  operation ;  then  an  occasional 
bran-mash,  well  seasoned  with  table  salt,  may  be  allowed. 

Many  cases  of  very  considerable  severity  have  been  relieved  bj 
the  above  treatment.  There  is  very  little  danger  attending  an 
operation  of  this  kind,  for  the  rumen  is  not  very  highly  organized 
with  either  blood-vessels  or  nerves.  I  have  known  several  in- 
stances in  which  this  operation  has  been  performed  in  the  rudest 
possible  manner,  with  a  common  jackknife,  and  yet  the  animah 
operated  on  recovered.  The  intelligent  husbandman,  however, 
will,  if  possible,  secure  the  services  of  a  surgeon  for  the  perform- 
ance of  all  operations  requiring  skill  and  good  judgment. 

Removal  of  the  Sutures,  or  Stitches. — The  incision  into  the  ru- 
men having  been  secured  by  very  fine  yet  strong  thread,  and  the 
ends  cut  off,  needs  none  of  our  attention.  The  external  sutures, 
however,  will  have  to  be  removed  in  the  course  of  a  week  or  ten 
davs.     We  merely  cut  the  knot  and  withdraw  the  suture. 

Gastro-intestinal  Inflammation. 

Gastro-intestinal  inflammation  of  the  stomach  and  bowels  is  fre- 
(jnently  occasioned  by  the  presence  of  concretions  and  hair-balls, 
or  some  other  foreign  bodies.  There  are  many  plants,  such  as 
hemlock,  crowfoot,  henbane,  wild  poppy,  etc.,  which  act  as  poisons, 
and  induce  an  inflammatory  condition  of  the  stomach  and  intes- 
tines. An  animal  may  feed  on  substances  which  arc  too  dry  and 
fibrous.  They  accumulate  and  distend  the  stomach  beyond  its 
normal  capacity.  Or  the  manyplus  may  contract  spasmodically 
and  imprison  the  food.  In  either  case  an  inflammatory  (condition 
"s  the  result.  The  treatment  of  a  disease  of  this  character  is  ver) 
unsatisfactory,  and  it  is  very  difficult  to  write  out  any  directions 
that  shall  meet  the  emergencies  in  cases  of  the  above  character. 

The  following  case,  communicated  for  the  "  Veterinarian  "  by 
Surgeon  Redwood,  will  give  the  reader  a  better  idea  of  this 
malady  than  the  author  can  furnish,  his  experience  being  rathei 
limited  in  treatment  of  this  affection  ; 


DISEASES  OF  THL  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.  <^J* 

"  I  have  forwarded  to  you  a  jar  coutaining  portions  of  the 
abomasum  of  a  coav  that  I  have  had  slaughtered,  seeing  that 
further  treatment  was  altogether  useless.  You  will  perceive  a 
large  gangrenous  spot  on  the  inner  coat  of  the  above  viscus,  which 
I  consider  was  the  cause  of  the  symptoms  presented.  I  have  alsc 
gent  you  portions  of  the  ilium  and  jejunum,  which  will  afford  you 
some  idea  of  the  intensity  of  the  spasmodic  action  with  which 
these  intestines  were  affected.  The  whole  of  the  small  intestines 
presented  the  most  marked  spasmodic  condition  ;  in  fact  they  were 
like  so  many  muscular  cylindrical  cords,  and  impervious  to  any 
body  larger  than  that  of  an  ordinary-sized  goose-quill. 

Xow,  all  the  diseased  conditions  are  enumerated  in  the  above 
brief  description.  Every  other  organ — except  the  liver,  which 
had  a  little  deposit  of  earthy  matter  in  a  few  of  its  larger  biliary 
tubes,  a  very  common  condition  of  the  gland — both  in  the  thorax 
and  the  abdomen,  presented  the  most  healthy  aspect.  The  animal 
was  ill  but  thirty -six  hours. 

The  folloM'ing  were  the  symptoms  observed  and  the  treatment 
adopted:  The  patient  was  a  dairy  cow,  five  years  old,  in  excel- 
lent condition,  living  on  straw  alone  for  the  last  fourteen  days, 
five  months  advanced  in  pregnancy,  and  never  had  been  ill  Ijefore, 
being  bred  on  the  farm.  When  I  first  visited  her  she  evinced 
all  the  symptoms  of  lioven,  and  that,  to  a  great  extent,  so  much 
go,  that  at  one  time  I  ^vas  about  to  introduce  the  tiocar,  for  the 
purpose  of  affording  relief;  yet,  knowing  the  animal  could  not 
have  had  access  to  succulent  diet,  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that 
this  was  the  effect  of  the  chemical  laws  acting  on  vegetable,  mat- 
ter, over  which  the  stomachs  had,  in  some  degree,  lost  their  vital 
influence.  The  poor  animal  was  in  great  agony,  shown  by  loud 
groaning,  though  rarely  lying  down  ;  eyes,  sunk  in  their  orbits ; 
pulse,  quick  and  irritable,  but  not  such  as  to  indicate  or  warram 
depletion.  Occasionally  a  quantity  of  the  fluid  contents  of  the 
rumen  were  regurgitated  through  the  nose  and  mouth,  almost,  it 
would  appear,  involuntarily.  She  also,  at  intervals,  voided  .i 
small  quantity  of  commingled  aqueous  and  mucous  fluid  i»er 
anum,  although,  as  before  remarked,  from  the  moment  she  was 
observed  to  be  ill,  not  the  smallest  portion  of  ingesta  passed  the 
ab(»masum,  which,  together  with  all  the  other  stomachs,  was  par- 
tially filled  with  food  in  a  pultaceous  state.  It  appeared  to  me 
evident  that  th'^  obstruction  to  the  passage  was  caused  by  spas- 


70 


DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 


niodic  action  of  the  pyloric  orifice,  the  action  extending  throughout 
the  greater  portion  or  all  of  the  small  intestines. 

"Will  you  favor  me  with  your  opinion  as  to  the  cause  of  the  cir- 
cumscribed and  intense  inflammation  of  the  villous  coat  of  the  true 
stomach,  and  say  if  you  think  it  arose  from  any  chemical  irritant? 

The  treatment  consisted  in  the  exhibition  of  spirits  of  ammonia 
aromatic  with  the  carbonate ;  aperients,  and  at  last  the  chlorides ; 
but  all  proved  inert,  no  benefit  whatever  accruing  therefrom.  Had 
I  suspected  spasm  to  such  a  marked  extent,  I  should  certainly 
have  given  large  doses  of  extract  belladonna  and  hyosciami,  both 
in  the  form  of  enema  and  by  the  mouth.  As  it  was,  my  treatment 
was  directed  solely  to  the  symptoms  evinced ;  and  when  I  found 
that  all  the  usual  remedies  were  of  no  avail,  as  the  animal  Avas  in 
high  condition,  I  thought  it  best  to  have  her  destroyed. 

[The  lining  membrane  of  that  portion  of  the  alimentary  canal 
forwarded  by  Mr.  Redwood  was,  throughout,  in  a  state  of  conges- 
tiooi,  presenting  here  and  there  depressed  or  cup-like  jiatches,  which 
apparently  resulted  from  ulceration,  commencing  in  the  submucous 
tissue.  The  ulceration  had  also  penetrated,  in  spots,  the  substance 
of  the  mucous  membrane.  This  condition  of  parts  is  somewhat 
singular,  and  might  have  had  its  origin  in  the  existence  of  some 
local  irritant.]  " 


IMPOBTED  DUTCH   COW  PUKMEB. 

'  Imported  by  W.  W.  Chenery,  of  Belmont,  MaB».j 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS. 


71 


Dentition  of  Cattle. 


APPEARANTE   OF  THE    TEMPORABY 
INCISORS   AT    BIRTH. 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  TEMPORART 
INCISORS  ABOUT  ONE  WEEK  AF- 
TER BIRTH. 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  TEMPORABY 
INCISORS  ABOUT  TWO  WEEKS  AF- 
TER BIRTH. 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  TEMPORARY  INCISORS 
ABOUT  THREE  WEEKS  OB  A  MONTH  AFTEE 
BIBTH. 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  TEMPOBABY 
INCISORS  AT  THE  AGE  OF  EIGHT 
OR  NINE    MONTHS. 


APPEARANCE  OP  THE  TEMPORARY 
INCISORS  AT  THE  AGE  OF  TEN  OB 
ELEVEN   MONTHS. 


72 


DADD8  VETEUIXARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  TEMPORARY 
INXISORS  AT  THE  AGE  OF  FIF- 
TEEN OB  SIXTEEN  MONTHS. 


APPEAEASCE  OF  THE  TEMPORARY  IN- 
CISORS AT  THE  AGE  OF  EIGHTEEN  OB 
NINETEEN  MONTHS. 


APPEAR  \N'~E  or  THE  TFMI'ORABT 
AND  rH'.MANEST  INCISORS  AT 
THE  .VOE  OF   AUOUT  TWO  YEARS. 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  PERMANKN'" 
AND  TEMPORARY  TEETH  AT  THl 
AGE  OF  THREE  YEARS. 


APPEARANCE  OF  SIX  PERMANENT  IN- 
riSORS  AND  TWO  TEMPORARY  AT  THE 
AGE  OF    FOIR. 


APPEAKANCE  OF   ATX   THE   PERMANENT 
TEETH    AT    THE    A'iE   "F   FIVE. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS 


73 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  PERMANENT 
TEETH  AT  THE  AGE  OF  ABOUT 
SIX  YEARS. 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  PERMANENT 
TEETH  AT  THE  AGE  OF  ABOCt 
TEN  YEARS. 


Synopsis  of  Dentition. 

INCISOR.*. 

Temporary  incisors  all  prominent  at  the  end  of  one  month. 

The  two  central  permanent  incisors  appear  in  from  twenty  to 
twenty-four  months. 

The  two  inner  middle  permanent  incisors  appear  at  about  the 
age  of  three  years. 

The  two  outer  middle  permanent  incisors  appear  at  about  the 
age  of  four  years. 

The  corner  permanen*^  incisors  appear  between  the  ages  of  five 
and  six  years. 

MOLARS,    OR   GRINDERS. 

Temporary  molars,  three  in  each  jaw,  above  and  below,  on  both 
sides,  are  prominent  at  birth,  or  within  four  weeks  of  that  period. 

Fourth  temporary  molars  are  cut  at  the  age  of  six  months. 

Fifth  temporary  molars  are  cut  at  the  age  of  fifteen  months. 

Sixth  temporary  molars  are  cut  at  the  age  of  from  two  years  to 
thirty  months. 

The  first  and  second  permanent  molars  are  cut  at  the  age  of 
about  two  years. 

The  third  molar  is  cut  at  about  the  age  of  three ;  the  fourth 
appears  at  the  age  of  four ;  the  fifth  at  the  age  of  five ;  and  the 
sixth  at  the  age  of  six. 


74  i^al^d's  veterinary  medicine  and  surgery. 

Suspended  Rumination,  or  Loss  of  Cud. 

Some  people,  who  are  in  the  habit  of  prescribing  for  loss  of  eua, 
more  properly  termed  "  cessation  of  rumination,"  suppose  that  if 
they  can  only  restore  the  lost  function  the  trouble  will  end.  This 
is  certainly  very  desirable,  for  an  improvement  in  the  appetite  of 
sick  animals  is  a  sure  sign  of  rapid  recovery ;  yet  a  restoration  of 
the  cud  alone  will  not  always  insure  a  cure,  neither  are  the  reme- 
dies prescribed  by  some  calculated  to  accomplish  this  object.  One 
man  reccommends  a  red  herring  to  be  thrust  down  the  throat; 
another  a  portion  of  the  quid,  or  cud,  of  a  healthy  cow.  Others 
recommend  raw  beef,  pork,  pepper,  etc.  This  results  from  mis- 
taking symptoms  for  disease ;  for  loss  of  cud  is  nothing  more  thao 
a  symptom  of  deranged  digestive  function,  or  that  of  other  orgar-s 
sympathetically  associated  with  it.  Those  who  have  the  care  of 
cattle,  and  prescribe  for  them  when  sick,  are  not  supposed  to  l-e 
able  to  trace  loss  of  cud  to  derangement  of  one  or  a  class  of  organs, 
unless  they  shall  have  had  the  advantages  of  a  medical  education, 
which  is  not  often  the  case.  They  are  not  acquainted  with  the 
various  sympathetic  relations  that  exist  in  the  animal  economy, 
neither  can  they  understand  why  an  abnormal  condition  of  one 
organ  produces  a  corresponding  effect  in  one  or  a  class  of  orgars 
remotely  situated  ;  nevertheless,  such  are  the  facts.  Many  a  po(  r 
cow  has  been  thus  forced  to  swallow  down  a  red  herring  (bones 
and  all)  or  "  another  cow's  quid  "  (not  of  tobacco,  for  none  othir 
than  two-legged  animals  chew  quids  of  this  description),  and  %\e 
can  readily  conceive  that  such  articles  may,  for  the  time  being, 
arouse  the  digestive  organs,  and  create  an  unnatural  appetite  in 
animals  of  such  refined  taste  and  nice  discrimination  as  the  cow. 
A  red  herring,  either  whole  or  comminuted  by  the  grinders,  ami 
then  swallowed,  only  creates  irritation  on  the  mucous  surfaces  of 
th(i  various  compartments  of  the  stomach ;  an  unusual  abundance 
'if  blood  flows  into  the  walls  of  that  organ,  the  circulation  of  that 
tiuid  is  quickened,  the  gastric  juice  flows  more  readily,  and  the 
digestive  function  is  exalted.  A  repetition  of  the  practice  enfee- 
bles the  power  of  the  stomach  ;  its  action  is  quickened  at  expendi- 
ture of  power,  for  all  unnatural  excitement  of  a  natural  function 
is  followed  by  a  corresponding  depression.  A  stimulant — and  red 
herring  may  be  classed  as  such — creates  a  desire  for  food  ;  but  then 
the  animal  may  be  laboring  under  an  acute  disease  of  some  organ, 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.  75 

when  food  would  be  inadmissible;  or  the  stomach  may  be  o\er- 
burdened  and  unable  to  digest  what  is  already  there,  and,  there- 
fore, requires  rest,  as  any  other  organ  would  after  long-continued 
action. 

The  stomach  is  one  of  the  most  important  organs,  and  jxirforma 
some  of  the  most  delicate  operations  in  the  animal  economy.  Its 
functions  may  be  suspended  from  various  causes,  and  it  is  the 
province  of  the  practitioner  to  learn  and  understand  the  why  and 
wherefore  of  its  derangement.  In  many  cases  the  stomach  craves 
no  food,  because  it  can  not  digest  it;  and  merely  creating  an 
app<  tit(;  by  stimulants  is  worse  than  useless,  for  whatever  is  then 
eaten  can  not  be  converted  into  chyme,  nor  can  the  lacteals  take 
it  up  and  apply  it  to  the  purpose*,  of  nutrition.  Whenever  an 
animal  is  suffering  from  disease,  pain,  or  excitement,  there  will 
often  be  absence  of  appetite  (loss  of  cud),  and  this  function  is 
suspended  because  the  animal  is  drawn  from  it  by  his  suflPerings. 

The  real  seat  of  sensation  of  hunger  is  in  the  brain,  not  in  the 
stomach  alone,  as  some  suppose.  The  latter  may  first  communi- 
cate some  such  sensation  to  the  brain,  yet  if  that  organ  be  in  a 
deranged  condition,  unable  to  recognize  the  want,  then  we  must 
impart  healthy  action  to  it,  and  establish  an  equilibrium  between 
the  nervous  and  general  system,  in  order  to  produce  a  natural  ap- 
petite. Do  you  wish  to  know  how  to  do  this  ?  If  so,  study  the 
veterinary  art.  That  the  appetite  is  affected  by  the  state  of  health, 
both  of  the  body  and  mind,  is  certain.  Human  practitioners  real- 
ize that.  "  In  fever,  pain,  and  in  certain  dyspeptic  states,  the 
stomach  craves  little  or  no  food.  So  in  mental  distress,  in  times 
of  great  fear,  or  sorrow,  or  extreme  anxiety,  the  appetite  fails. 
Even  in  a  single  moment  the  appetite  may  be  suspended  by  any 
sudden  mental  affection  or  emotion."  Animals  are  known  to  man- 
ifest mental  emotion  when  separated  from  their  offspring,  or  from 
those  with  whom  they  have  been  accustomed  to  work  or  associate; 
and  many  cases  are  on  record  showing  that  animals,  when  deprived 
of  the  society  of  their  fellows,  refuse  their  food,  and  die  of  grief, 
so  that,  in  this  particular,  the  brute  does  not  differ  from  his  mas- 
ter. Is  it  not  a  matter  of  importance,  then,  to  ascertain  the  cause 
of  loss  of  cud  (appetite)  before  we  prescribe  red  herrings,  etc.  ? 

"  Loss  of  cud,"  says  Mr.  Youatt,  "  is  more  a  symptom  of  dis- 
ease than  a  disease  of  itself.  It  accompanies  most  inflammatory 
complaints,  and  is  often  connected  with  those  of  debility-.     It  wJH 


76  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEQICINE  AND  SURGERl. 

be  the  duty  of  the  practitioner  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  this  sus- 
pension of  second  mastication,  and  to  adapt  his  mode  of  treatment 
to  the  nature  of  that  cause.  A  dose  of  physic,  with  a  small  por- 
tion of  aromatic  medicine,  will  be  indicated  if  any  fever  can  be 
detected.  More  than  the  usual  quantity  of  aromatic  should  be 
.added  in  the  absence  of  fever,  and  still  more,  with  tonic  and 
alterative  medicine,  if  general  debility  is  indicated.  The  cara- 
way and  ginger  powder  are  the  best  aromatics,  and  will  supersede 
every  other.  The  gentian  and  ginger,  with  Epsom  salts,  will 
prove  a  very  useful  tonic  and  alterative  in  cases  of  loss  of  cud 
that  can  not  be  traced  to  any  particular  diseased  state  of  the 
animal." 

A  word  to  the  farmer,  and  I  have  done.  If  you  have  permit- 
ted your  animals  to  subsist  on  innutritions  diet,  so  that  their  diges- 
tive powers  have  been  overtaxed,  and  that  function  is  paralyzed, 
then  the  blame  rests  with  you.  On  the  other  hand,  have  you  been 
preparing  them  for  market — piling  on  the  fat,  at  the  same  time 
depriving  them  of  pure  air  and  exercise?  If  so,  you  are  equally 
blamable.  Is  your  barn  and  dairy  management  consistent  with 
the  received  opinion  of  those  who  are  the  best  judges  in  these  mat- 
ters? If  not,  make  them  so,  and,  depend  upon  it,  your  cattle  will 
thrive  and  be  blessec  with  a  natural  ajipetite ;  for  disease,  iu  nine 
cases  out  of  ten,  resuits  from  violating  the  laws  of  Nature. 

Inflammation  of  tmk  Bowels  (Enteritis). 

Inflammation  of  the  bowels,  occurring  in  any  of  the  divisions 
of  the  intestines,  is  one  of  frequent  occurrence;  yet  among  cattle 
it  is  not  liable  to  become  so  suddenly  fatal  as  among  horses. 

Sympfovis. — This  disease  bears  some  analogy  to  colic,  in  the 
suddenness  of  its  attack.  A  healtliy  animal  is  all  at  once  attacked 
with  abdominal  pain  ;  gets  down,  and  moans  from  incessant  or 
persistent  pain  ;  The  pulse  generally  ranges  from  60  to  70 ;  rumi- 
nation has  ceased,  and  the  feces  is  hard,  covered  with  slime  or 
streaked  with  blood ;  the  flanks  heave  (as  the  saying  is) ;  th« 
limbs  are  tremulous,  and  the  animal  has  a  staggering  gait;  the 
visible  surfaces  of  the  eye,  mouth,  and  nostrils  are  reddened  ;  pres- 
sure upon  the  abdominal  region  (which  is  generally  tucked  up;, 
elicits  symptoms  of  pain.  As  the  disease  proceeds,  these  symp- 
toms a'-e  aggravated,  and  intestinal  hemorrhage  or  mortification 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.  I  i 

terminates  the  suiferings  of  the  animal.  The  post  mortem  exam)- 
nation  generally  reveals  engorgement  of  the  blood-vessels  of  the 
intestines,  with  highly-carbonized  and  coagulated  blood ;  the  lin- 
ing membrane  is  of  a  dark  velvet  color,  and  the  large  intesiines 
are,  more  or  less,  inflamed  or  gangrenous. 

Treatment. — The  principal  objects  in  the  treatment  of  this  -Us- 
ease  are,  to  lubricate  the  interior  of  the  stomach  and  intestinea 
with  mucilage  of  slippery  elm,  and  to  equalize  the  circulation  and 
nervous  action  over  the  general  system.  The  remedies  are  as 
follows : 

Mucilage  of  slippery  elm 1  quart. 

Powdered  gum  assafetida 2  dr. 

Powdered  lobelia 1  dr. 

The  above  dose  may  be  repeated  at  the  expiration  of  eight  hours. 
In  the  mean  time,  apply  a  mustard  poultice  to  a  part  of  the  abdo- 
men, and  excite  the  circulation  on  the  surface  of  the  body  and 
extremities  by  friction  with  wisps  of  straw.  An  occasional  anti- 
spasmodic injection  should  be  thrown  into  the  rectum.  Two 
quarts  of  hot  water  to  one  ounce  of  powdered  lobelia  are  about  the 
proper  proportions.  Should  the  patient  appear  to  suffer  from  dis- 
tension of  the  intestines  with  gas,  then  give  one  ounce  of  hyposul- 
phite of  soda,  two  drachms  of  powdered  golden  seal,  and  one  pint 
of  water. 

Animals  in  the  above  condition  can  not  bear  cathartics,  yet  cases 
now  and  then  occur  which  require  a  gentle  aperient,  merely  to  aid 
in  the  removal  of  fecal  accumulations.  When  such  remedy  is  in- 
dicated, I  recommend  the  following,  to  be  used  as  a  drench : 

Glauber  salts 8  oz. 

Warm  water 1  pint. 

Molasses ^  gill. 

Powdered  ginger 1  table-s$0(  aful. 

Mix. 


Invagination  of  Intestines. 

Invagination  of  intestine  signifies  a  portion  of  intesti  ae  drawn 
within  another,  there  becoming  strangulated.  This  difficulty 
does  occasionally  occur,  and  the  symptoms  do  not  differ  materially 
from  those  attending  strangulation  occasioned  by  the  c  Drd.  or  vaa 
fleferens. 


78  DADDS  V^ETERINAKl   MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

Symptoms, — The  animal  passes  nothing  from  the  rectum  but  a 
§mall  quantity  of  blood ;  suffers  incessant  pain ;  is  very  uneasy, 
and  rumination  is  suspended ;  he  will  occasionally  anxiously  regard 
the  flanks  and  moan.  This  trouble  is  generally  preceded  by 
flatulency. 

Treatment. — The  best  plan  of  relieving  the  animal  is  to  etherize 
him,  for  it  often  happens  that,  during  etherization,  a  relaxation  of 
the  muscular  tissues  takes  place,  and  such  condition  is  favorabk 
to  the  return  of  the  bowel.  It  may  be  proper,  while  the  animal 
is  down,  and  under  the  influence  of  ether,  to  introduce  a  hand  into 
the  rectum  and  try  what  can  be  done  by  manipulation  and  traction. 
The  small  intestines,  in  which  the  difficulty  occurs,  can  be  seized 
through  the  wall  of  the  rectum,  and,  perhaps,  by  some  slight  trac- 
tion or  movement,  the  difficulty  may  be  remedied.  It  is  impossible 
to  tell  what  is  the  result  of  our  efforts  until  the  animal  is  relieved, 
and  has  had  time  to  recover  from  the  effects  of  the  ether.  This 
having  taken  place,  without  improvement,  I  should  immediately 
perform  the  right-flank  operation,  search  for  the  seat  of  the  diffi- 
culty, and  reduce  the  invagination. 

This  operation  may  appear  to  some  as  a  very  formidable  affair — 
very  dangerous  and  painful ;  but  a  skillful  surgeon,  armed  with 
the  great  Godsend,  ether,  can  perform  the  same  without  tlie  least 
danger.  I  have  opened  the  abdominal  cavity  several  times,  in 
cases  of  sterility,  merely  to  explore  the  uterus  and  ovaries,  and 
never  met  with  any  accident;  and  to  encourage  those  who  have 
never  had  any  experience  in  the  performance  of  this  operation,  I 
relate  the  following  incident :  I  was  requested,  a  short  time  ago, 
to  visit  a  very  valuable  Durham  cow,  the  property  of  Mr.  (ir. 
Clarke,  of  Hyde  Hall,  Otsego  County,  N.  Y.,  which  had  been 
purchased  of  Lord  Ducie,  accompanied  by  a  warranty  of  pregnancy 
by  one  of  the  best  bulls  in  England.  Time  revealed  the  fact  thiit 
tshe  was  not  pregnant.  She  had  afterward  several  connections  with 
the  opposite  sex,  yet  could  not  be  impregnated.  The  object  in 
securing  my  services  was  to  solve  the  problem  of  her  sterility. 
Now  comes  the  pith  of  the  matter.  I  cast  her  and  explored  the 
vagina.  It  appeared  that  there  was  a  sort  of  hour-glass  contrac- 
tion in  the  vagina,  so  that  the  hand  could  not  be  introduced  morp 
than  six  inches.  At  this  point  there  appeared  to  exist  a  mechani- 
cal obstruction  to  further  penetration.  This  was  sufficient  evidence 
of  incapacity  o^  the  sexual  congress,  yet,  having  traveled  a  lonp 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.  7? 

distance,  at  great  expense  to  the  owner,  and  there  being  some  pros- 
pect of  litigation  in  the  matter,  I  was  determined  to  remove  all 
doubts.  I  therefore  performed  the  flank  operation,  and  explored 
the  uterus  and  ovaries.  The  whole  were  in  a  state  of  atrophy, 
except  iht  right  ovary,  which  was  as  large  as  the  kidney  of  an  ox. 
Being  desirous  of  ascertaining  what  the  character  of  the  enlarge- 
ment was,  I  put  my  thumb  and  finger  into  it.  By  so  doing  I 
ruptured  a  vessel,  which  bled  very  profusely.  My  immediate  im- 
pressions were  that  the  animal  must  die  of  internal  hemorrhage. 
It  was  a  matter  of  impossibility  to  secure  the  bleeding  vessel,  so  I 
sutured  the  incision,  expecting  that  the  animal  would  die  in  the 
course  of  a  few  hours  but,  contrary  to  my  expectations  she  got 
well. 

Diarrhea. 

Diarrhea  consists  of  an  increased  number  of  lower-bowel  dis- 
charges, augmented  peristaltic  motion  of  the  bowels,  irritability 
of  the  same,  and  a  too  rapid  propulsion  of  the  secretions.  Di- 
arrhea is  sometimes  salutary — an  effort  of  Nature  to  rid  the 
system  of  morbific  matter.  It  frequently  occurs  at.  the  com- 
mencement )f  various  forms  of  disea,se,  and  is  scarcely,  if  ever, 
an  isolated  affection.  Gai-lup,  in  his  "Institutes  of  Medicine," 
contends  that  the  muco-intestinal  discharges  are  portions  of  the 
centrifugal  circulations,  which  probably  have  their  functions  ac- 
f?elerated  by  the  force  of  the  heart  and  arteries,  above  that  of  the 
centripetal  series.  A  fluid,  quite  similar  to  the  cold  sweat  of  the 
ekin,  and  by  a  similar  process,  is  forced  out  in  abundance,  and 
produces  the  diarrhea. 

A  moderate  diarrhea,  occurring  in  a  plethoric  animal,  is  often 
salutary ;  for  it  relieves  the  relative  plethora  of  the  vascular  sys- 
tem, which  occurs  at  the  onset  of  acute  disease.  When  the  dis- 
charges are  of  a  yellow  or  greenish  color,  there  is,  generally, 
functional  derangement  of  the  liver.  When  an  abundance  of 
mucous  material  is  observed,  it  goes  to  show  that  the  mucous 
membrane  is  congested.  Sometimes  an  excess  of  serous  fluid  is 
observed.  This  occurs  more  particularly  in  dropsica4  affections. 
There  is  also  an  alvinous  variety  of  diarrhea,  caused  by  an  abnor- 
mal secretion  or  exudation  of  coagulable  lymph.  It  frequently 
comes  away  in  shreds,  or  detached  pieces,  from  various  portions 
of  the  intestinal  canal. 


60  DADUS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

Treatment. — Almost  any  form  of  this  affection,  except  the 
chronic  kind,  can  be  checked,  and  perhaps  cured,  by  administer- 
ing a  few  doses  of  charcoal  and  lime-water.  T  use  these  agents 
in  the  following  proportions  : 

Finely  powdered  charcoal 8  dz. 

Lime-water 4   ftz. 

Tincture  o'f  matico 2   jz. 

Water 1  oint. 

Mis. 

One-fourth  of  the  above  is  a  dose  for  an  ox  or  cow,  which  n<ay 
be  repeated  every  four  hours.  The  same  remedy  answers  for  calves, 
only  they  require  a  smaller  quantity.  The  astringent  properties 
of  the  above  mixture  can  be  augmented  by  increasing  the  quantity 
of  matico,  or  by  adding  a  small  quantity  of  powdered  bayberif 
bark. 

In  all  cases  of  diarrhea,  I  usually  order  a  change  of  diet;  for^ 
in  some  cases,  the  food  is  operative  in  producing  the  difficult^/. 
If  it  occur  while  at  grass,  the  animal  should  be  taken  to  the  barn 
for  a  short  time,  and  allowed  a  few  moderate  meals  of  ground 
oatmeal.  When  sucking  calves  are  under  treatment  for  diarrhea, 
the  mother  should  also  have  a  few  doses  of  the  above  remedy ;  for 
it  often  happens  that  she  is  ailing  at  the  time,  and  her  milk  has 
a  morbid  tendency  on  the  calf.  In  the  advanced  stages,  when  the 
fecal  discharges  emit  a  bad  odor,  and  rumination  is  suspended, 
the  patient  should  have  a  few  quarts  of  milk  porridge  per  day. 
Scalded  milk  alone  will  sustain  and  benefit  the  calf. 


Chronic  Diarrhea. 

Chronic  diarrhea  is  usually  accompanied  by  loss  of  condition  ; 
the  coat  stares,  and,  although  the  animal  is  allowed  the  very  btst 
kind  of  food,  still  it  thrives  not;  the  skin  and  ribs  seem  to  have 
entered  into  permanent  relationship.  In  a  case  of  this  character^ 
I  recommend  the  following : 

Phosphate  of  lime 6  oz. 

Powdered  ginger 3  oz. 

Powdered  charcoal 4  oz. 

Powdered  golden  seal 2  oz. 

Powdered  bayberry  bark 1  oz. 

Mix. 

Divide  the  mass  into  eight  equal  parts,  and  mix  one   if  thero 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS,  81 

in  the  food  night  and  morning.  This  will  generally  have  ttie 
desired  effect.  Should  it  fail,  I  would  increase  the  quantity  of 
bayberry  bark  to  three  ounces. 

Gut-tie. 

It  would  seem  that  an  apology  is  due  the  reader  from  the  author 
for  introducing  such  an  apparently  vulgar  term  as  the  above ;  but 
the  fact  is,  this  term  has  a  meaning — perhaps  better  understood 
than  any  other  that  can  be  introduced  at  the  present  time.  It 
would  appear  that "  gut-tie  "  is  often  occasioned  by  a  faulty  method 
of  castration,  or  "  altering."  This  is  the  testimony  of  experts ;  but 
it  is  my  opinion  that  gut-tie  often  occurs  more  accidentally  than 
otherwise,  for  animals  have  been  known  to  die  of  gwt-tie  after  being 
castrated  in  the  best  possible  manner.  I  once  operated  on  an  ani- 
mal for  this  mechanical  trouble,  and  am  satisfied  that  the  castrator 
was  as  well  qualified  to  perform  the  operation  as  the  best  of  the 
craft ;  yet  the  cord  had  retracted  into  the  abdomen,  formed  a  false 
tissue,  and  had  also  a  large  bulbous  extremity,  which  no  skill  or 
foresight  could  liave  possibly  guarded  against. 

Syraptoms. — The  animal  operated  on  presented  the  following 
symptoms :  Pulse,  small  and  quick  ;  respirations,  hurried ;  animal 
very  uneasy  (all  the  time),  down  and  up  again  very  often ;  rectum, 
empty,  yet  coated  with  slime ;  the  patient  refused  both  food  and 
water,  and  had  not  ruminated  nor  passed  any  feces  for  several 
hours. 

Treatment. — I  proposed  an  operation,  with  the  intention  of  ex  - 
ploring  the  abdominal  cavity,  to  which  the  owner  consented. 
The  patient  was  cast  on  the  near  or  left  side,  and  etheriztd.  An 
incision,  five  inches  in  length,  was  then  made  through  the  integu- 
ments  of  the  right  flank,  midway  between  the  last  rib  and  ante- 
rior part  of  the  ilium,  about  three  inches  below  the  transverse 
spines  of  the  lumbar  vertebra.  The  muscles  and  peritoneum  were 
also  divided  in  the  same  manner  as  when  spaying  a  cow.  After 
introducing  my  hand,  I  found  a  portion  of  intestine  incarcerated 
by  tht  remains  of  the  spermatic  cord,  which  seemed,  together  with 
some  false  membrane,  to  have  entangled  the  intestine.  After  lib- 
erating the  latter,  the  divided  muscles  were  closed  by  suture,  one 
end  of  which  was  left  long  enough  to  hang  out  of  the  wound.  The 
integuments  M'ere  tlien  sutured,  and  dressed  with  tincture  of  a  38. 
6 


82  DADD&  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERF. 

The  patient  staggered  a  little  when  he  got  up,  but  soon  couimenced 
eating.  I  did  not  see  him  afterward,  but,  a  fortnight  from  the 
time  of  the  operation,  was  informed  that  the  animal  experienced 
immediate  relief  from  the  difficulty,  and  was  then  well. 

Up  to  the  present  time  there  appears  to  be  no  information  afloat 
in  this  country  regarding  the  cause  and  remedy  of  this  singular 
difficulty ;  hence,  I  presume  that  some  reliable  account  from  other 
oources  may  be  acceptable  to  the  reader  of  this  work.  The  fol- 
lowing account  of  "  gut-tie  "  is  from  the  pen  of  Surgeon  Ceow- 
HURST.  published  in  the  "  London  Veterinarian :" 

"I  was  requested  on  the  15th  of  last  month,  to  attend  a  two- 
year  old  steer,  the  property  of  W.  W,  Daws,  Esq.,  of  Ewhurst, 
which,  was  taken  ill  the  day  previously ;  but,  it  being  late  when 
the  illness  was  observed,  and  my  residence  nine  miles  distant, 
some  aperient  medicine  was  administered,  and  orders  given  to 
send  for  me  the  next  morning.  When  I  arrived,  the  steer  was 
lying  down  in  a  shed,  but  soon  got  up  and  walked  across  the 
yard.  His  back  was  arched,,  and  the  abdomen  tucked  up.  He 
was  somewhat  excited  at  first,  but  soon  began  to  tremble,  and  to 
step  in  a  backward  direction,  by  putting  one  hind  leg  directly 
behind  the  other.  Occasionally  he  turned  his  head  toward  his 
side,  and  would  kick  at  his  belly,  and,  now  and  then,  stretch 
himself  out,  and  curve  his  loins  to  a  considerable  extent.  After 
being  in  the  yard  for  a  short  time,  he  returned  into  the  shed  and 
lay  down  again,  doing  this  in  a  very  careful  manner.  He  soon 
got  up  a  second  time,  an«l  stepped  backward  as  before,  seemingly 
for  the  purpose  of  getting  his  hind-quarters  against  some  resisting 
body.  The  man  in  charge  of  the  animal  explained  that  tlie  symp- 
toms had  undergone  but  very  little  change  since  he  was  taken  ill, 
and  that  he  had  not  eaten  any  thing  nor  voided  any  feces.  Theie 
were,  however,  several  evacuations  of  mucus  lying  about  the  yard> 
wliich  had  been  expelled  from  the  bowels. 

Having  procured  a  wagon-rope,  and  obtained  the  assistance  c' 
two  or  three  men,  I  had  the  animal  cast,  and  examined  him  per 
rectum.  There  were  no  feces  present,  but,  on  passing  my  hand 
onward,  I  readily  detected  a  band,  which  was  drawn  tightly  round 
the  bowel.  It  appeared  to  pass  from  behind  forward,  and  under 
the  rectum.  By  pulling  at  this  the  animal  struggled  from  pain. 
Finding  this  state  of  things,  I  at  once  decided  upon  operating,  aa  . 
I  could  not  see  the  patient  any  more  that  day,  having  "^any  press- 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.  8b 

ing  professional  engagements.  I  first  cut  off  the  hair  from  the 
right  side,  which  I  prefer  to  do  while  the  animal'  is  standing,  that 
I  may  know  better  where  to  commence  my  incision  when  he  is 
cast.  I  will  here  describe  my  plan  of  casting  the  animal,  that, 
should  any  person  have  a  preferable  one,  I  may  put  it  in  requi- 
sition in  my  after-proceedings.  I  first  fastened  one  end  of  a 
rope  to  the  off  fore-leg,  then  passed  it  in  front  and  around  the 
'lear  fore-leg,  and  afterward  under  the  part  of  the  rope  between 
the  legs,  so  as  to  pull  them  close  together.  Next,  it  was  carried 
between  the  hind  legs  and  round  the  near  one,  and  then  under 
that  part  which  passed  from  the  fore  to  the  hind  legs.  By  then 
bringing  the  end  of  the  rope  over  the  bullock's  back,  I  was  en- 
abled to  throw  him  on  his  near  side,  and  prevent  his  rising  by 
drawing  the  near  hind  leg  forward,  and  fixing  it  between  the 
fore-legs.  As  the  off  hind  leg  was  still  at  liberty,  it  was  secured 
by  drawing  it  backward,  and  fastening  it  by  another  rope  to  a 
crowbar  fixed  in  the  ground.  A  man  was  then  placed  on  the 
animaPs  neck,  to  keep  his  head  down,  and  prevent  his  rising. 
Every  thing  being  ready,  I  commenced  the  operation  by  cutting 
through  the  common  integument  and  abdominal  muscles,  midway 
between  the  antero-inferior  spinous  process  of  the  ilium  and  the 
last  rib,  a  short  distance  below  the  transverse  processes  of  the 
lumbar  vertebra,  so  as  to  avoid  the  arteries  of  the  part.  The  peri- 
toneum was  then  broken  through  with  the  fingers,  and  afterward 
the  left  hand  was  introduced  into  the  abdomen,  in  a  direction 
toward  the  pelvis.  I  experienced  no  difficulty  in  finding  the 
band,  which  consisted  of  the  vas  deferens,  and  which  formed  a 
semicircular  projection  in  the  abdomen  from  the  intestines  pass- 
ing behind  it,  or  from  below  upward,  as  the  steer  lay  on  his  side. 
It  was  drawn  quite  tight,  and  had  produced  strangulation  of  the 
intestines.  I  was  soon  enabled  to  liberate  the  intestines,  after 
which  I  drew  the  vas  deferens  toward  the  opening  in  the  musclet 
and  divided  it,  excising  a  portion  to  the  extent  of  about  three  or 
four  inches.  The  part  cut  through  retracted,  and  was  left  floating 
ft-ee  in  the  abdomen.  The  operation  was  completed  by  passing 
some  r'nterrupted  sutures  of  wide  tape  through  the  common  integ- 
ument only.  After  the  animal  was  released,  I  gave  him  some 
aperient  medicine,  and  ordered  gruel  to  be  administered  at  regu- 
lar intervals. 

Before  I  wa;  a  student  at  the  college,  I  attended  a  post  mortem 


84  DADDS  VETERINARY  .MEDICINE  AND  SURGiSRr. 

examination  of  an  old  "Welch  runt,  which  my  father  ordered  ia 
be  killed,  as  the  proprietor  neglected  sending  soon  enough  for  him 
to  be  of  any  service.  In  this  case  there  were  about  six  inches  of 
the  small  intestines  strangulated,  and  quite  black  in  color.  The 
question  arises,  Is  this  afl'ection  produced  from  any  particular 
mode  of  castration  ?  My  father  has  castrated  animals  in  the  same 
way  as  taught  him  by  his  father  for  forty-five  years,  and  had 
never  had  one  case  among  those  he  has  operated  upon,  althciigb. 
he  has  been  called  to  several  which  had  been  operated  upon  by 
other  persons. 

The  calf  which  I  have  alluded  to  was  not  castrated  by  him,  nor 
was  the  two-year  old  steer,  (the  subject  of  this  communication,)  by 
either  of  us,  which  tends  to  prove  that  castration  has  to  do  witi> 
its  production,  these  cases  having  occurred  in  our  district.  I  had, 
until  recently,  supposed  that  the  spermatic  artery,  on  being  drawn 
at  until  it  ruptures,  in  the  operation  of  castration,  might  recede 
into  the  abdomen,  and,  hanging  loose,  afterward  strangulate  the 
intestines  by  getting  around  them,  but  I  feel  convinced  this  is  no"^ 
the  case." 

The  following,  which  lately  appeared  in  the  Edinburgh  "Vet- 
erinary Review,"  is  offered  for  the  reader's  instruction.  It  is  a 
translation  from  Gierer,  by  Mr.  Gamgee  : 

"On  the  Internal  Ruptures  in  Oxen. 

"  Gierer  alludes  to  the  fact  that  all  authors  agree  as  to  the  na- 
ture of  the  internal  or  peritoneal  ruptures  termed  '  ueber-wurf'/ 
by  the  Germans — '  gut-tie '  by  the  English.  There  is  a  separa- 
tion of  the  atrophied  spermatic  cord  from  the  sides  of  the  pelvis, 
and,  under  peculiar  circumstances,  the  peritoneum  is  lacerated ;  a 
portion  of  intestine  slips  downward  and  backward,  and  the  cord 
is  entwined  round  it,  so  as  to  constrict  it,  obstruct  the  passage  of 
excrement,  and  inflammation,  with  other  consequences,  result, 
Gierer  especially  desc^bes  his  method  of  discovering  the  seat  of 
the  constriction,  and  his  plan  of  operating.  He  says  that  it  is  not 
always  so  easy  to  find  the  spermatic  cord,  and  to  discover  precisely 
which  intestine  is  incarcerated.  Most  cases  occur  in  oxen  from 
a  year  and  a  half  to  four  years  old.  When  symptoms  of  colic, 
and  no  discharge  of  feces  induce  him  to  suspect  'gut-tie,'  he 
examines  per  rectum,  and,  by  careful  manipulation,  can  always 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANS.  8fk 

detect  the  spermatic  cord  and  imprisoned  intestine.  Gierer  has 
never  seen  this  strangulation  relieved  spontaneously;  and  there 
are  two  methods  of  cure  to  adopt — the  one  palliative,  and  the 
other  radical.  The  first  consists  in  the  return  of  the  intestine 
through  the  fissure  in  the  spermatic  cord,  by  quickly  driving  an 
ox  or  raising  his  hind-quarters  in  a  stall.  This  should  be  tried 
«oon  after  the  first  appearance  of  the  disease.  When  this  does  not 
answer,  the  normal  condition  of  the  parts  must  be  restored  by  the 
taxis  effected  through  the  rectum. 

Very  often  there  may  be  a  relapse,  from  the  loose  spermatic 
cord  and  fissure  of  the  peritoneum  remaining  in  statu  quo.  There 
are  two  methods  of  radical  cure — one  by  the  introduction  of  the 
hand  through  an  incision  through  the  abdominal  walls,  and  the 
other  by  the  rectum.  Gierer  always  operates  by  the  rectum,  and 
his  method  consists  in  the  simple  return  of  the  spermatic  cord  in 
contact  with  its  natural  point  of  attachment  against  the  abdominal 
wall.  To  effect  this  a  limited,  successive,  and  slightly  outdraw- 
ing  traction  forward,  or  from  behind  forward,  of  the  intestine  is 
effected ;  and,  having  accomplished  this,  the  soft  part  of  the  thumb 
of  the  right  hand,  which  is  used  from  the  beginning  of  the  oper- 
ation, is  applied  through  the  coats  of  the  rectum  in  the  lower  and 
posterior  part  of  the  cord,  and,  with  a  jerk,  or  forward  movement, 
the  operation  is  completed. 

Gierer  says  that  the  introduction  of  the  hand  in  the  abdomen 
is  only  needed  when,  from  the  amount  of  intestine  imprisoned,  it 
is  difficult  to  feel  the  rudimentary  spermatic  cord;  but,  under 
Ihese  circumstances,  inflammation  and  gangrene  would  have  en- 
dued already,  and  the  operation  would,  therefore,  be  useless,  and 
it  is  many  years  since  he  had  occasion  to  perform  it." 

Flatulent  Colic. 

This  disease  is  generally  occasioned  by  some  derangement  of 
the  digestive  organs,  whereby  the  food,  instead  of  being  properly 
digested,  undergoes  fermentation,  and  thus  carbonic  acid  gas,  or 
<julphureted  hydrogen  is  evolved. 

Symptoms. — It  is  attended  by  considerable  pain;  the  animal 
will  be  very  restless,  continually  lying  down  and  getting  up  again  : 
discharges  gas  from  the  anus ;  strikes  the  belly  occasionally  with 
t^e  hind  feet,  and  the  abdomen  is  enlarged. 


?<U  DAUDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

Treatment. — This  species  of  colic  can  generally  be  relieved  a* 
follows:  Take  one  ounce  of  hyposulphite  of  soda,  dissolve  the 
same  in  a  quart  of  water ;  then  add  tincture  of  ginger  and  tincture 
of  golden  seal,  of  each,  one  ounce.  Drench  the  animal  with  i\\^ 
same.  Clysters  of  soap-suds,  to  which  a  little  salt  may  bi;  added, 
should  be  thrown  into  the  rectum  occasionally.  The  belly  should 
be  well  rubbed  with  coarse  straw,  and,  in  severe  cases,  I  shouki 
rub  some  mustard,  moistened  with  vinegar,  on  the  lower  part  of 
the  abdomen.  After  a  lapse  of  two  hours,  should  the  patient  ap- 
pear unrelieved,  a  second  dose  of  the  colic  drench  may  be  given. 
Generally,  however,  one  dose  is  sufficient. 

Spasm  of  the  Bowels. 

Spasm  of  the  bowels,  generally  termed  spasmodic  colic,  is  oc- 
casioned by  contraction  of  the  longitudinal  and  circular  fibers  of 
the  muscular  tunic  of  the  intestines.  In  this  disease  nearly  the 
same  symptoms  are  observed  as  those  alluded  to  in  flatulent  colic, 
with  the  exception  of  flatulency.  The  patient,  however,  is  more 
irritable  and  dangerous  to  handle  than  in  flatulent  colic,  and  he 
has  periods  of  relaxation  from  pain  which  return  at  intervals  with 
increased  violence.  It  is  supposed  that  this  affection  is  caused 
by  the  presence  of  irritating  matters  in  the  intestinal  canal,  either 
in  the  form  of  bad  food,  poisonous  plants,  or  water  imj^regnated 
with  lead.  As  the  muscles  of  the  intestines  belong  to  that  class 
known  as  involuntary,  it  follows  that  the  state  of  spasm  is  the 
result  of  some  excitability  or  deranged  condition  of  the  nerves  of 
involuntary  motion ;  hence  antispasmodics  are  indicated.  In  view 
of  relieving  the  spasm,  I  recommend  the  following : 

Powdered  assafetida 1  dr. 

Sulphuric  ether 2  dr. 

Thin  gruel 1  pint. 

Mix. 

Use  as  a  drench ;  then  administer,  occasionally,  an  antispasmodic 
clyster,  composed  of  warm  water  and  a  small  quantity  of  pow- 
dered lobelia. 

Failing  to  relieve  the  animal  by  the  above  means,  I  should  get 
him  under  the  influence  of  sulphuric  ether,  to  be  applied  to  the 
nostrils  by  means  of  a  sponge.  There  is  no  necess"ty  for  fully 
etherizing  the  animal,  for,  if  kept  in  a  partial  state  -"/  stupefaction 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  ORGANis.  87 

for  about  twenty  minutes,  the  spasm  will  relax ;  after  which,  let 
the  patient  be  kept  on  bran-mashes  for  a  day  or  more. 

Constipation  of  the  Bowels. 

Constipation  is  generally  the  result  of  impaired  digestion,  yet, 
uo^7  and  then,  it  is  the  precursor  of  some  definite  malady.  The 
cid  method  of  resorting  to  powerful  cathartics  generally  aggravates 
the  symptoms,  and  the  animal  dies  unrelieved  of  the  constipation. 

The  best  method  of  treating  this  affection  is  to  administer,  with 
an  aperient,  stimulants  and  bitters;  in  this  way  we  arouse  the 
action  of  the  digestive  organs,  and  create  a  lax  state  of  the  bowels 
Let  the  following  drench  be  given : 

Glauber  salts 12  oz. 

Powdered  golden  seal 3  dr. 

Powdered  ginger 2  dr. 

Dissolve  the  Glauber  salts  in  one  quart  of  tepid  water;  then 
add  the  other  ingredients.  After  a  lapse  of  eight  hours,  the  animal 
should  be  walked  about,  have  its  belly  rubbed,  and  an  occasional 
clyster  of  warm  soap-suds  may  be  thrown  into  the  rectum.  Should 
the  medicine  not  operate  at  the  expected  time,  administer  two 
drachms  of  powdered  mandrake,  the  same  quantity  of  golden  seal, 
and  half  an  ounce  of  hyposulphite  of  soda,  in  about  a  quart  of 
water. 

To  prevent  a  recurrence  of  the  constipation,  let  the  animal  havfe 
half  an  ounce  of  equal  parts  of  golden  seal  and  carbonate  of  soda 
daily,  which  may  be  mixed  in  the  foo  ].  It  is  important,  also,  in 
view  of  guarding  against  constipation,  to  make  some  change  in 
the  diet.  Thus,  if  the  animal  has  been  long  fed  on  meal,  some 
ecarser  material  (shorts)  should  be  substituted,  for  a  brief  period 
a:  ;e£3t. 


SECTIOX   IV. 

PARTURITION. 

810N8  OF  Labor,  or  Parturition — Natural  Labor — Unnatural  Lasob — 
Fore-legs  Presenting  —  One  Fore-leg  Presenting  —  Head  Presenting 
WITHOUT  the  Legs — Extraction  of  a  Calf  on  its  Back— Hind  Legs  Pre- 
senting— Breech  Presentation — Cleansing,  or  Removal  of  the  After- 
birth— Back  of  the  Calf  Presenting  at  the  Brim  of  the  Pelvis — Ute- 
rine Hemorrhage — Birth  of  Twins — Triplets. 

Signs  of  Labor,  or  Parturition. 

AT  the  end  of  two  hunxired  and  seventy  days  from  the  period 
of  a  cow's  impregnation,  some  enlargement  of  the  udder 
will  be  perceived,  and  the  labii  pudendi  (external  parts  of  the 
genital  organs)  are  relaxed,  and  appear  tumefied,  and  a  sort  of 
glistening  discharge  issues  from  the  same.  The  animal  is  also 
restless,  and  appears  desirous  of  avoiding  the  society  of  other 
cows.  Her  respirations  are  somewhat  quickened;  she  becomes 
nervous  and  irritable,  and  labor  pains  set  in,  occurring  at  stated 
periods,  until,  at  last,  the  neck  of  the  uterus  dilates,  the  foetal 
membranes  present  themselves  in  the  form  of  a  watery  tumor, 
and  the  parts  admit  of  the  delivery  of  the  foetus. 

Natural  Labor. 

Natural  labor  consists  of  the  presentation  of  the  placental  mem- 
branes, inclosed  fluid,  with  the  head  and  two  fore-feet  of  the  foetus. 
In  the  act  of  natural  expulsion  the  membranes  become  ruptured, 
and  the  liquor  amnii  (water)  escapes.  This  lubricates  the  parts, 
and  greatly  facilitates  the  birth  of  the  foetus.  After  delivery  a 
tew  after-pains  occur,  by  which  means  the  placenta,  or  after-birth, 
ia  expelhid.  This  completes  the  painful  routine  of  natural  labor. 
(88) 


PARTURITION. 


Unnatural  Labor. 


80 


A  cow  failing  to  give  birth  after  the  fashion  described  in  the 
preceding  article,  and  being  in  a  state  of  parturition,  having  regu- 
lar uterine  pains,  increasing  in  severity  as  they  successively  occur, 
yet  no  appearance  of  the  foetus,  is  probably  the  subject  of  false 
presentation.  The  character  of  this  presentation  must  be  ascer- 
tained, and  our  efforts  then  directed  to  the  replacement  of  the  part 
to  its  natural  position.  The  person  who  intends  to  render  assist- 
ance to  the  parturient  cow  should  be  clad  in  suitable  garments. 
His  arms  must  be  bared  to  the  shoulders,  and,  in  view  of  guard- 
ing against  the  absorption  of  morbid  virus,  the  person's  arms 
should  be  lubricated  with  glycerine  or  olive  oil.  The  instru- 
ments required  are,  embryotomy  knife,  embryotomy  hooks,  and 
slip-nooses.     (See  cut  of  instruments.) 

Fore-Legs  Presenting. 

The  most  common  false  presentation  is  that  when  the  two  fore 
legs  are  advanced  into  the  vagina,  sometimes  beyond  it,  and  the 
head  turned  upon  the  foetal  body.  This  is  occasioned  by  the 
muzzle  having  caught  at  the  brim  of  the  pelvis.  The  delivery 
-can  not  be  effected  until  the  position  is  changed,  without  danger 
to  the  mother  and  certain  destruction  to  the  calf  The  best  plan 
is  to  attach  a  cord,  or  the  slip-nooses,  to  each  fore-leg,  which  are 
then  to  be  forced  back  into  the  uterus.  The  head  must  then  be 
sought  for,  and  constant  pressure  exerted  on  the  same  until  it  is 
sent  forward  far  enough  to  enable  the  operator  to  release  it  from 
the  brim  of  the  pelvis,  and  guide  it  into  the  vaginal  outlet.  A 
noose  may  then  be  slipped  over  the  lower  jaw;  then  traction  on 
it  and  those  of  the  fore-legs  will  accomplish  the  delivery. 

If  the  calf  is  dead  I  should  use  the  embryotomy  hook  in  pref- 
erence to  the  noose ;  but,  in  view  of  saving  the  calf,  the  latter  is 
the  safest.  Some  care,  however,  is  necessary  in  drawing  out  the 
fore-feet,  lest  the  points  of  the  hoofs  lacerate  the  vagina.  While 
the  assistants  are  drawing  steadily  on  the  cords,  the  operator 
should  give  them  a  lateral  action,  from  side  to  side,  and  upward 
and  downward.  This  is  far  better  than  pulling  persistently  in 
one  direction,  for  it  tends  to  loosen  and  alter  the  position  of  iiii' 
pacted  parts. 


90  dajltds  veterinary  medicine  and  surgery. 

One  Fore-leg  Presentinc. 

This  is  also  a  commou  occurrence,  and,  if  seen  early,  the  de- 
livery may  be  safely  effected  by  attaching  the  noose  to  the  pro- 
truded leg.  This  is  to  be  pushed  back,  the  other  sought  for  and 
secured  in  the  same  manner,  and  again  to  be  returned.  The  head 
must  then  be  properly  placed,  the  legs  drawn  outward,  and  the 
delivery  may  be  accomplished  with  every  prospect  f  bringing 
forth  a  live  calf. 

Head  Presenting  without  the  Legs. 

In  a  case  of  this  character,  it  is  evident  that  the  legs  are  doublerf 
up  within  the  vagina  and  uterus,  and,  unless  attended  to  early,  the 
calf  will  be  dead ;  therefore,  in  order  to  save  time  and  trouble,  [ 
should  decapitate  the  calf,  which  is  done  as  follows:  Make  a  cir- 
cular incision  around  the  neck  through  the  integuments ;  then  cut 
down  in  a  region  between  the  first  and  second  cervical  vertebrae, 
and  sever  the  capsular  ligaments  and  spinal  marrow.  A  person 
not  expert  in  these  matters  will  probably  succeed  better  in  de- 
taching the  head  at  this  point  than  at  the  base  of  the  cranium. 
Before  the  neck  is  returned,  the  embryotomy  hooks  should  be  in- 
serted into  it,  and  the  blades  secured  by  tying  the  cord  which 
passes  through  them.  Having  pushed  back  the  neck,  I  run  my 
hand  along  one  limb  at  a  time,  and  find  the  hoofs.  These  are 
brought  forward  and  noosed.  Traction  now  being  made  on  tliie 
three  cords,  the  delivery  is  secured. 

Supposing  the  calf  to  be  alive,  I  proceed  as  follows :  A  nooso 
is  affixed  to  the  lower  jaw;  the  head  is  then  pushed  back  as  far 
as  it  can  be  got;  the  fore-legs  are  then  to  be  brought  into  posi- 
tion as  above  described,  after  which  the  calf  is  readily  brought 
away.  Some  difficulty  may  be  experienced  in  extracting  the  hind 
parts.  If  they  require  much  force  in  extraction,  the  probabilities 
are  that  the  pelvis  of  the  foetus  is  impacted  in  that  of  the  cow. 
The  long  diameter  of  the  pelvis  is  crosswise  of  the  body,  so  that, 
if  the  calf  be  in  a  position  that  opposes  its  long  pelvic  diameter 
to  the  short  one  of  the  mother,  it  must  be  pushed  back  a  few 
inches,  and  turned,  so  that  its  feet  shall  be  downward,  in  a  lin« 
with  the  cow's  limbs. 

It  is  very  important  that  the  calf  should  be  in  the  right  poei- 


PARTURITIO.X.  91 

tion  as  regards  the  diameter  of  the  pelvis,  for  many  valuable  cows 
are  ruined  by  the  violent  means  used  in  the  extraction  of  the  hind 
parts  when  in  a  faulty  position.  A  little  tact  in  securing  a  right 
position  for  the  exit  of  the  calf  would  save  a  vast  amount  of 
unnecessary  and  cruel  traction,  which  in  our  rural  districts,  where 
veterinary  surgeons  are  not  to  be  found,  is  too  often  employed. 


EXTEACTION  OF  A  CaLF  ON  ITS  BaCK,  HiND    LeGS 

Peesenting. 

Some  persons  have  an  tdea  that  when  a  wrong  presentation  of 
this  kind  takes  place  the  calf  may  be  turned.  This  is  an  impos- 
sibility, and  it  is  only  a  waste  of  time  and  a  feat  of  ignorance  to 
even  attempt  it.  The  calf  must  be  extracted  in  the  manner  of  pre- 
sentation. The  traction,  however,  should  be  made  in  a  direction 
toward  the  bones  of  the  coccygis,  or  tail.  In  the  early  stages  of 
this  kind  of  parturition,  the  back  rests  on  the  belly  of  the  mother, 
and  the  feet  come  in  contact  with  her  spine.  If  my  services  were 
sought  at  this  early  period,  I  should  endeavor  to  bring  the  feet 
down,  one  at  a  time,  and  noose  them,  and  proceed  to  deliver  with- 
out making  any  futile  attempts  to  change  the  position  of  the  calf. 
In  a  case  of  this  character,  which  occurred  in  my  practice  a  short 
time  ago,  I  found  it  impossible  (the  cow  being  down)  to  dislodge 
the  feet  from  the  spinal  region.  I  therefore  procured  a  double 
and  single  block  tackle,  and  fastened  it  to  a  beam  which  ran 
across  the  barn ;  the  hind  extremities  were  then  attached  to  the 
single  block  by  means  of  straps,  and  in  this  way  the  posterior 
parts  were  elevated.  The  consequence  was,  that  the  whole  foetal 
apparatus  receded  into  the  abdominal  cavity,  the  feet  were  dis- 
lodged from  the  spine,  and  I  had  the  satisfaction  of  delivering  the 
animal  of  a  live  calf. 

The  following  case  is  related  by  Surgeon  Caetwright,  in  the 
"  Veterinarian : " 

"On  the  30th  of  April,  1850,  Mr.  came  for  me  to  see  a 

cow,  four  years  old,  that  could  not  calve,  as,  in  a  former  instance, 
another  celebrated  man  at  such  work  had  been  in  attendance  on 
her,  but,  from  the  state  of  the  os  uteri,  was  fairly  frightened 
from  making  an  attempt  to  remove  it,  as,  he  said,  '  an  operation ' 
must  be  performed  on  it.  I  found  her  well  off  at  the  hips,  and 
about  the  vulva  well  relaxed.     On  introducing  my  hand  into  the 


^2  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SUnGERY. 

vagina,  I  ascertained  that  the  os  uteri  was  dilated  to  about  five 
inches  in  diameter,  in  an  apparent  rigid  state.  On  passing  my 
hand  through  the  os  uteri,  I  found  that  the  calf  lay  on  its  back. 
The  hind  feet  could  be  felt,  but  they  were  doubled  up  at  the  fet- 
locks, and  pressed  against  the  rectum  and  inside  of  the  upper  por- 
tion of  the  OS  uteri.  In  consequence  of  the  calf  lying  on  its  back, 
and  its  feet  being  doubled  up,  the  latter  was  not  forced  into  thf. 
OS  uteri,  from  which  cause  the  os  uteri  could  not  be  dilated  for  the 
cow  to  calve.  I  immediately  got  one  of  the  legs  straight,  brought 
it  forward  into  the  vagina,  and  passed  a  cord  around  it,  and  then 
served  the  other  the  same.  Afterward  we  used  gradual  traction 
to  the  feet,  until  the  os  uteri  was  fully  dilated,  and,  in  the  course 
of  an  hour,  we  removed  a  live  calf,  which,  together  with  the  cow, 
did  well.  I  fear  such  cases  as  these  may  induce  persons  to  divide 
the  OS  uteri,  thinking  it  in  a  scirrhous  state.  In  a  fortnight  after^ 
this  person  had  an  exactly  similar  case;  but,  from  using  gross 
force,  they  burst  open  the  pelvis  somewhere,  and  the  consequence 
was,  the  cow  was  obliged  to  be  destroyed." 

Breech  Presentation. 

A  presentation  of  this  kind  is  generally  attended  with  difficulty 
and  danger.  The  difficulties  depend,  however,  somewhat  on  the 
length  of  time  which  has  elapsed  since  the  commencement  of  the 
labor.  If  it  be  recent,  there  is  some  hope  for  both  mother  and 
calf,  but  in  a  protracted  case  there  is  little  hope  for  the  mother ; 
and  one  reason  is,  the  vagina  or  uterus  is  often  injured  or  rup- 
tured by  the  struggles  of  the  foetus  in  trying  to  free  itself  from  its 
uncomfortable  position.  Then,  again,  the  uterus  has  contracted 
upon  the  foetus  so  as  almost  to  imprison  it,  at  least  forcing  and 
impacting  it  within  the  cavity  of  the  pelvis,  so  that  the  little  ani- 
mal is  almost  immovable.  Let  a  person  unacquainted  with  bo- 
vine midwifery  introduce  his  hand  and  arm  in  a  case  of  this  char- 
acter, and  he  will  be  astonished  at  the  amount  of  force  it  will 
require  to  thread  his  hsfnd  between  the  foetus  and  pelvis;  and 
after  accomplishing  his  object,  the  hand  and  arm  become  so  be- 
numbed by  the  pressure  that  he  can  not  accomplish  much,  if  any 
thing,  until  he  can  succeed  in  forcing  the  foetus  forward,  which, 
in  some  cases,  when  uterine  action  is  strong,  can  not  be  effected 
without  elevating  the  posterior  parts  of  the  cow  by  means  of  a 


PARTURITION.  9B 

hoisting  tackle.  It  requires  a  person  with  a  long  arm  to  bt  of 
much  service  in  a  case  of  this  kind,  for  the  limbs  are  exten''oi  a 
long  distance  into  the  abdomen.  A  breach  presentation  is  7ery 
readily  detected  by  the  presence  of  the  calf's  tail,  which  occ&  'ion- 
ally  hangs  out  of  the  vagina. 

The  mode  of  extracting  the  foetus  when  the  breech  presebts  L 
as  follows :  Pressure  must  be  made  upon  the  buttocks  of  the  calf 
in  the  interim  of  labor  pains.  Having  succeeded  in  pushing  the 
calf  forward,  the  hocks  may  possibly  be  reached ;  afterward  the 
ieet  These  are  to  be  brought  into  the  vaginal  passage;  then,  by 
traction,  and  altering  the  position  of  the  calf,  if  necessary,  the 
delivery  is  completed.  Should  it  be  found  impossible  to  push  the 
foetus  forward,  I  should  lose  no  time  in  raising  the  hind-quarters 
of  the  cow  by  means  of  hoisting  apparatus,  w^hich  most  farmers 
have  on  hand.  In  order  to  avoid  hurting  or  injuring  the  cow's 
limbs  when  hoisting  the  hind  parts  from  the  ground,  I  encircle 
the  legs,  just  above  the  fetlock,  with  some  old  gunnybag,  or 
something  of  the  sort ;  then  affix  a  strap  to  each  leg,  into  which 
the  tackle  must  be  hooked.  The  cow  is,  of  course,  raised  from 
the  floor,  belly  upward. 

Cleansing,  oe  Removal  of  the  After-bieth. 

After  the  delivery,  the  after-birth  should  be  detached,  if  pos- 
sible ;  for,  if  it  be  allowed  to  occupy  the  uterus,  the  latter  contracts 
upon  it,  and  there  it  may  remain  for  a  week  or  more,  and,  at  last, 
come  away  a  mass  of  putridity — not,  however,  before  the  cow  has 
suffered  some  derangement  of  health.  So  soon  as  the  calf  is  born, 
1  introduce  my  hand,  and  pull,  in  various  directions,  on  the  um- 
bilical cord.  Failing  to  bring  the  placenta  away,  I  introduce  my 
whole  arm,  and  carefully  detach  the  now  foreign  body  from  the 
cotyledons  of  the  uterus.  The  uterus  shortly  afterward  contracts^ 
and  thus  effectually  prevents  uterine  hemorrhage. 

It  Las  been  my  universal  custom,  of  late,  to  remove  the  placenta 
nam  jdiately  after  the  birth  of  the  calf,  and  I  do  so  because  I  con- 
sidei  it  unwise  to  allow  it  to  remain ;  for  the  labor  is  not  then 
comj)leted.  No  practitioner  of  midwifery  in  human  medicine 
would  ever  deem  it  proper  to  leave  his  patient  until  the  "  after- 
birth" was  removed,  for  it  would,  most  undoubtedly,  endanger 
the  mother's  life  if  it  were  left  to  rot  away,  as  is  too  often  the  case 


y4  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERi 

with  the  poor  uncomplaining  cow.  In  the  removal  of  the  placenta, 
I  am  careful  not  to  pull  too  hard  on  the  umbilical  cord,  lest  in- 
version of  the  uterus  ensue.  A  little  tact  and  patience  will  often 
accomplish  wonders.  The  placenta  may  be  detached  from  the 
cotyledons,  and  yet  can  not  be  drawn  away.  The  probability  is 
that  some  irregular  contraction  of  the  uterus  retains  it.  Now  ue 
must  exercise  a  little  patience,  and  then  introduce  the  arm  and 
feel  for  the  seat  of  contraction.  This  can  probably  be  dilated  L  y 
fhe  fingers,  and  then  the  placenta  may  easily  be  removed. 

In  (iases  of  protracted  labor,  when  the  cow  is  much  exhausted, 
the  placenta  may  remain  in  the  uncoutracted  uterus  for  want  of 
muscular  power  in  the  same  to  expel  it.  In  such  a  case  I  should 
give  the  cow  about  a  quart  of  ginger  tea,  and  if  any  tympany  of 
the  intestines  exist,  I  should  add  a  small  quantity  of  carbonate  of 
soda. 

The  absurd  practice  of  attaching  a  weight  to  the  membranes,  or 
rolling  them  on  a  stick,  as  heretofore  recommended,  is  not  in  ac- 
cordance with  my  views  of  an  enlightened  system  of  practice.  To 
say  the  least,  it  is  unscientific,  and  presents  an  unsightly  appear- 
ance. The  odor  which  arises  from  the  putrid  mass,  in  the  course 
of  a  few  days,  is  enough  to  sicken  a  dog,  and  no  doubt  it  does 
sicken  pregnant  cows,  and  may  induce  abortion.  The  membranes 
must  be  removed. 

The  abominable  practice  of  allowing  the  cow  to  devour  the 
after-birth  is  much  to  be  deplored.  I  know  the  custom  has  the 
sanction  of  long  usage,  but  that,  in  my  opinion,  is  no  argument  ;.n 
its  favor.  The  cow  is  not  a  cannibal  nor  a  carniverous  anims.l, 
yet,  for  the  sake  of  getting  rid  of  an  unsightly  and  filthy  mass  of 
carrion,  which  ought  to  have  been  removed  from  her  sight,  she  is 
tempted,  and  finally  does  devour  it.  She  may,  however,  some- 
times be  led  to  devour  the  placenta  and  foetal  membranes  through 
the  promptings  of  a  morbid  appetite.  The  best  and  safest  way 
to  dispose  of  the  after-birth  is  to  burn  it,  for  the  odor  arising 
from  it  under  the  process  of  decomposition  has  a  bad  effect  en 
pregnant  cows  of  a  highly  imaginative  and  nervous  temperament, 
and  the  odoriferous  morbid  germ  is  more  active  in  warm  thar>  cold 
weather. 


PARTURITION.  1)5 

liACK    OF    THE   CaLF   PRESENTING   AT    THE   BeIM   OF  THE 

Pelvis. 

This  unfortunate  presentation  is  one  of  rare  occurrence.  I  never 
saw  but  one  case,  and  that  I  now  propose  to  introduce  for  the 
ii'struction  of  my  readers.     I  was  called,  a  short  time  ago,  to  visit 

a  cow,  the  property  of  Mr.  R ,  of  Winchester.     The  animal 

had  been  in  labor,  with  strong  parturient  pains,  for  twelve  hours. 
In  the  mean  time  several  persons  had  tried  their  skill  on  the  poor 
brute,  without  doing  the  least  good.  At  the  time  of  my  visit,  she 
was  in  a  deplorable  condition.  Her  ears,  horns,  and  extremities 
were  icy  cold ;  she  was  delirious,  throwing  her  head  about  in  a 
reckless  manner,  as  if  in  convulsions ;  the  vaginal  lips  Avere  very 
much  tumefied,  their  lining  membrane  being  highly  inflamed.  I 
immediately  gave  her  a  good  drench  of  stimulating  medicine, 
which  appeared  to  have  a  good  effect  in  restoring  warmth  on  the 
external  surface  and  in  the  extremities.  On  making  an  examina- 
tion, I  discovered  that  the  back  or  spinal  column  of  the  foetus  was 
firmly  impacted  within  the  brim  of  the  pelvis;  consequently  every 
uterine  effort  to  expel  the  same  was  only  making  matters  worse. 
I  employed  all  the  usual  means  to  change  the  position  of  the  calf 
to  no  purpose.  Finally,  I  proposed  an  operation,  to  which  the 
owner  consented.  I  now  etherized  the  cow,  turned  her  on  her 
left  side,  and  made  an  Incision  through  the  right  flank,  beginning 
at  a  point  two  inches  beneath  the  transverse  processes  of  the  lum- 
bar vertebra,  mid-distance  of  the  last  rib  and  anterior  spine  of  the 
pelvis.  The  length  of  the  incision  was  about  ten  inches.  I  then 
divided  the  muscles  in  this  region  known  as  the  transversalis, 
external  and  internal  oblique.  Having  thus  exposed  the  perito- 
neum, I  punctured  it,  and,  by  means  of  a  probe-pointed  bistoury, 
dilated  it  to  the  extent  of  the  external  incision.  I  then  made  an 
incision  through  the  uterus,  disemboweled  the  calf,  so  as  to  reduce 
its  bulk,  and,  finally,  removed  the  heart  and  lungs ;  yet  I  could 
not  extract  the  carcass  (which  was  of  extraordinary  size).  I  there- 
fore made  a  section  of  the  spinal  column,  and  removed  the  foetus 
m  halves;  then  took  away  the  placenta,  and  removed  all  fluids 
by  means  of  a  sponge.  The  incision  was  properly  sutured,  and, 
after  a  short  period,  the  cow  got  up  and  partook  of  a  bran-m-ash. 
Twenty-four  hours  after  the  operation  the  cow  died.  This  proba- 
bly occurred  from  the  ex  austed  condition  of  the  animal  at  the 


96  DADDS  VETERINARY  .MCDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

period  of  operating.  When  nothing  except  an  opeiation  of  this 
kind  can  save  the  mother,  I  recommend  that  it  be  per-x)rmed  early, 
BO  tliat  there  shall  be  vitality  enough  in  the  systeM  to  bear  up 
against  it. 

Uterine  Hemorrhage. 

Uterine  hemorrhage  is  known,  in  common  parlance,  as  floodii^g 
from  the  womb.  Occasionally  it  does  occur  as  a  sequel  of  forcible 
extraction  of  the  calf,  followed  by  an  unwarrantable  harshness  ia 
extracting  the  placenta  and  its  membranes  from  the  uterine  coty- 
ledans.  The  best  plan  of  arresting  this  kind  of  hemorrhage  is  to 
drench  the  cow  with  two  ounces  of  tincture  of  matico,  and  then 
encircle  the  body,  in  the  region  of  the  small  of  the  back,  with  » 
cold-water  bandage.  The  object,  in  a  case  of  this  kind,  is  to  in- 
duce contraction  of  the  uterus,  for,  when  once  contracted,  the  flood- 
ing will  soon  cease. 

Birth  of  Twins. 

There  are  many  cases  on  record  of  cows  giving  birth  to  twins', 
and  even  triplets,  without  manual  assistance;  yet  occasionally,  in 
consequence  of  two  presenting  in  the  passage  at  once,  some  assist- 
ance is  needed.  When  called  to  a  case  of  this  character,  the  object 
should  be  to  ascertain  if  the  parts  presenting  belong  to  one  or  two 
calves.  If  the  latter  be  the  case,  one  must  be  pushed  back  and 
the  other  advanced ;  for  they  can  not  both  be  born  at  once  without 
periling  the  life  of  the  mother. 

Triplets. 

Three  years  ago  T  /isited  Keone,  N.  H.,  on  the  occasion  of  tfte 
State  Fair,  and  saw  a  cow  of  native  breed,  the  property  of  Mr. 
Aldrich.  I  learned  that  at  two  previous  births  she  had  brought 
forth  twins,  and  now  was  the  mother  of  three  at  one  birth.  These 
were  milk-white,  and  a  perfect  counterpart  of  each  other.  I  un- 
derstood jSlr.  Aldrich  to  say  that  the  cow  had  never  been  bred  to 
the  same  bull,  so  that  the  plural  and  triple  births  were  the  result 
of  a  peculiarity  of  constitution  on  the  part  of  the  cow.  This  re- 
markable peculiarity  seems  to  favor  the  hypotheses  of  Pythagoras 
and  Aristotl'i,  who  maintained  that  the  female  parent  affords  all 


PARTURITION.  97 

the  materials  necessary  for  the  formation  of  the  offspring,  the  office 
of  the  male  being  merely  to  awaken  the  dormant  formative  powere 
residing  in  the  female  ovaducts.  The  "  ovists "  further  assume 
that  the  foetal  germs  already  exist,  with  all  their  organs,  in  some 
part  of  the  female  organs  of  generation,  and  that  the  action  of  the 
male  is  merely  that  of  exciting  and  endowing  the  foetus  with  vi- 
tality. These  theories,  however,  appear  irreconcilable  with  tlie 
phenomena  of  the  offspring  inheriting  the  faults  and  defects  of 
the  male.  The  cow  alluded  to  never  required  any  assistance  in 
labor.  This  may  be  accounted  for  from  the  fact  that  the  mother 
had  a  large  pelvis,  and  her  offspring  at  the  time  of  birth  were  all 
small. 

But  here  are  two  other  remarkable  cases,  as  related  by  Mr. 
Gamgee,  in  his  translations : 

"  The  subject  of  this  notice  had  been  delivered  of  her  first  calf 
in  January,  1857,  when  two  years  old — a  fine  heifer  of  the  Brittany 
breed,  and  of  medium  size.  Soon  after  she  was  served  (only  once) 
by  a  bull  of  the  district,  and  became  impregnated.  During  gesta- 
tion the  animal  was  healthy,  walked  easily,  and  her  belly  presented 
no  uncommon  appearance  as  regards  size.  On  December  26,  her 
term  of  gestation  having  closed  with  little  pain  or  expulsive  efforts, 
she  gave  birth,  in  a  very  few  minutes,  to  two  calves  (male  and  fe- 
male), the  first  being  in  the  normal  position,  the  last  having  the 
posterior  limbs  presented  first.  At  the  same  time  the  foetal  envel- 
opes of  the  calves  came  away. 

During  delivery  the  cow  showed  no  suffering,  and  would  eat 
and  drink  as  usual.  Shortly  after,  the  attendants  perceived,  be- 
tween the  lips  of  the  vulva,  two  white,  soft  tumors,  which  they 
took  for  inverted  uterus,  and  at  once  hastened  for  the  cow-doctor. 
Meanwhile,  a  neighbor,  thinking  he  recognized  in  them  the  water- 
bags,  pricked  them,  and,  on  the  escape  of  the  water,  another  calf 
was  seen,  with  a  natural  presentation,  which  was  soon  delivered 
by  the  efforts  of  the  mother.  This  was  immediately  followed  by 
a  fourth,  which  was  also  easily  expelled.  These  two  last — the 
first  a  female,  the  last  a  male — died  in  a  few  seconds,  though, 
doubtless,  had  the  liquor  amnii  been  at  once  evacuated,  both 
might  h-ave  survived,  as  they  were  even  stronger  than  the  two 
first.  They  were  very  fat,  and  weighed,  when  given  to  the 
butcher,  25  kilogrammes  each. 

"  The  cow  which  has  shown  such  remarkable  fecundity  (five 


98  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  cJURGERT. 

calves  in  one  year)    has  all   along  preserved  the  most  perfect 
health." 

Remarkable  Fecundaiion  in  a  Cow. — Mr.  M.  B.  Forbes  sent  the 
Ijondon  "  Veterinarian  "  the  following  particulars  relating  to  the 
birth  of  five  calves  at  one  time  :  "  A  cow  of  the  short-hornc-d  breed, 
six  years  old,  the  property  of  Mr.  Richard  Knight,  farmer,  Santon. 
about  a  mile  from  Ryegate,  was  safely  delivred  on  Monday  morn- 
ing, the  21st  of  February,  three  weeks  before  her  time,  of  fiv« 
calves — four  bulls  and  one  cow.  Three  of  the  calves  died  a  fe"^ 
hours  after  birth,  but  the  fourth  survived  until  Tuesday,  and  the 
fifth  until  the  following  day,  Wednesday."  Mr.  Forbes  saw  the 
oow  on  the  23d,  and  found  her  going  on  well.  It  was  her  tliiiT^ 
calving. 


SECTIOX    V. 

DISEASES    OF    THE    GENERATIVE    ORGANS. 

COHSTRICTION    OF  THE  NeCK  OF  THE  UtERUS EmBRTOTOMY TREATMENT  0»  COWg 

DDRiNO  Pregnancy — Symptoms  of  Pregnancy — Dropsy  of  the  Womb — Pueb- 
FERAL  Fever — Falling  of  the  Womb. 


Constriction  at  the  Neck  of  the  Uterus. 

OWING  to  some  abnormal  condition  of  the  neck  of  the  uterus, 
it  is  occasionally  the  seat  of  constriction.  The  difficulty  can 
only  be  determined  by  introducing  the  hand  into  the  vagina ;  then, 
by  bringing  the  fingers  in  contact  with  the  mouth  of  the  womb,  it 
is  found  in  an  undilated  and  indurated  or  hardened  state.  Should 
the  labor  pains  be  quite  strong,  and  no  signs  of  relaxation  appear- 
ing, I  should  then  introduce  a  probe-pointed  bistoury  or  the  em- 
bryotomy knife  into  the  neck  of  the  uterus,  and  dilate  the  stricture, 
by  making  incisions  into  the  inner  border  of  the  strictured  or  har- 
dened mass.  This  will  allow  of  some  slight  dilatation,  large 
tnough  for  a  bladder  of  foetal  membrane  to  gain  entrance.  After 
this  takes  place,  the  labor  will  gradually  progress,  and,  if  every 
thing  goes  right,  as  the  saying  is,  a  live  calf  may  soon  be  expected 
to  make  its  appearance,  and  the  cow  may  also  be  expected  to  sur- 
vive the  operation. 

Embryotomy. 

The  operation  known  among  medical  men  as  embryotomy,  sig- 
nifies dismemberment  of  the  calf  within  the  vagina  and  uterus.  I 
presume  no  man,  except  he  be  acquainted  with  the  anatomy  of  the 
parts,  would  dare  to  attempt  the  dismemberment  and  disembowel- 
ment  of  the  foetus.  It  is  an  operation,  however,  which  has  to  be 
performed  very  often,  and  it  has  saved  the  lives  of  verv  many 
valuable  cows ;  therefore  I  shall  try  to  "  post "  the  reader  on  the 

(99) 


]UU  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY 

subject.  The  instrument  used  for  this  purpose  is  called  an  embry- 
otomy knife  (see  cut  of  instruments),  and  is  introduced  into  the 
uterine  cavity,  concealed  in  the  hand,  so  that  its  cutting  edge  shall 
not  injure  the  genital  organs  of  the  cow. 

Mode  of  Operation. — Having  introduced  the  knife  within  th(> 
uterine  cavity,  I  run  my  hand  along  the  foetal  limb  to  the  top  of  the 
ehoulder,  if  possible,  and  there  turn  the  knife  and  send  its  beak 
point  through  the  integument,  and  slit  the  same  to  the  region  oi 
the  knee,  rfere  I  make  a  circular  incision  of  the  integument 
around  the  knee.  A  slip-noose  is  affixed  to  the  fetlock,  and,  while 
an  assistant  is  making  steady  traction  on  the  same-,  I  loosen  the 
integument  from  the  limb;  then,  by  a  little  dexterity  in  the  use 
of  the  knife,  at  the  top  of  the  shoulder  and  elsewhere,  the  whole 
leg  is  drawn  away.  After  amputating  the  shoulder,  I  make  an 
incision  through  the  cartilages  of  the  ribs.  This  exposes  the  whole 
of  the  thoracic  viscera,  which  I  remove.  If  the  bulk  of  the  cali 
appears  to  be  sufficiently  reduced  to  insure  its  extraction,  I  affir 
a  noose  to  the  remaining  fore-leg,  and,  by  traction,  remove  tlm 
carcass.  The  only  difficulty  in  the  way  of  a  prompt  extraction 
occurs,  oftentimes,  in  consequence  of  the  fcetal  head  being  bent 
round  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  chest ;  but,  under  ordinary  cir  - 
cumstances,  the  calf  can  be  extracted  without  proceeding  to  disem- 
l^owel  or  decapitate  it.  If,  however,  either  of  the  latter  operations 
will  facilitate  the  birth  of  the  calf,  I  should  certainly  perform  one 
or  the  other,  or  both.  Having  extracted  the  whole  of  the  foetus, 
I  next  remove  the  placenta  and  membranes,  and  then  drench  the 
cow  with  the  following : 

Fluid  extract  of  ginger ^  oz. 

Tincture  of  matico 1   oz. 

Warm  water 1  quart. 

This  will  improve  the  condition  of  the  prostrate  animal,  and  in- 
sure contraction  of  the  uterus.  The  uterine  expulsive  power,  so 
favorable  to  the  liberation  of  the  calf,  if  dormant,  can  readily  be 
aroused  by  administering  a  stimulating  drench. 

Treatment  of  Cows  During  Pregnancy. 

The  03W  is  the  only  animal  with  which  I  am  acquainted  that 
,'ields  milk  regularly  during  the  trying  and  prostrating  probation 
of  pregnancy.     She  has  not  only  to  yield  milk  for  the  profit  of 


DISEASES  OF  THE  GENERATIVE  ORGANS.  101 

her  owner,  but  she  must  also  furnish  an  identical  preparation  for 
the  nourishment  of  the  foetus  in  utero.  Then,  again,  the  integrity 
of  her  own  system  requires  that  her  digestive  organs  shall  furnish 
enougii  of  chyme  and  chyle  for  the  manufacture  of  good,  rich  blood, 
to  repair  incidental  and  extraordinary  wear  and  tear  of  her  system ; 
therefore  she  should  be  well  fed  and  cared  for.  Any  stinting  or 
miserly  economy  in  the  feeding  of  pregnant  cows  is  very  poor 
policy,  and  is  a  sort  of  starvation  procedure,  which  can  never  be 
expected  to  pay.  It  is  impossible  for  the  cow  to  discharge  these 
trtble  duties  unless  she  be  generously  fed  on  nutrimental  agents, 
containing  the  necessary  equivalents.  I  am  aware  that  most  cows 
are  too  well  fed,  hence  milk  fever  and  other  inflammatory  affec- 
tions ;  yet  the  food  given  to  some  cows  in  this  region,  such  as  swill, 
brewer's  grains,  corn-stalks,  coarse,  damaged  hay,  etc.,  is  not  suit- 
able for  pregnant  cows.  They  should  have  a  mess  of  roots  occa- 
sionally, and  about  a  quart  of  meal  night  and  morning,  which  may 
be  stirred  in  a  bucket  of  water,  to  which  add  a  tea-spoonful  of 
salt.  A  reasonable  quantity  of  good,  sweet  hay  should  be  allowed 
<laily.  This  will  not  only  keep  the  stomach  distended  to  a  healthy 
<apacity,  but  will  also  furnish  matter  for  remastication,  by  which 
process  a  large  amount  of  saliva  is  secreted,  and  passes  into  the 
stomach,  where  it  operates  on  the  food  therein  contained  as  a  pow- 
erful digester. 

A  pregnant  cow  should  never  be  confined  to  the  cow-house,  for 
want  of  proper  exercise  induces  plethora,  and  a  plethoric  condition 
of  the  system  retards  the  development  of  the  foetus  ;  hence  the  cow 
is  very  apt  to  go  over  her  time.  The  pregnant  animal  needs,  and 
must  have,  exercise.  It  aids  in  the  circulation  of  "blood  through 
her  system :  it  brings  the  blood  oftener  in  contact  with  aerating 
surfaces,  and  thus  invigorates  it ;  in  short,  the  whole  animal  econ- 
omy is  benefited  by  exercise  in  the  open  air.  If  the  season  of  'lie 
yeai  admits,  the  cow  should  be  sent  to  pasture.  Here,  under  ih«; 
advantages  arising  from  pure  air,  natural  food,  etc.,  she  will  get  in 
fine  condition,  so  that  when  the  period  of  calving  arrives  she  will 
be  strong  and  vigorous,  and  can  bring  forth  a  healthy  calf.  It 
must  bo  borne  in  mind,  however,  that  the  petted,  stall-fed  cow  is 
not  a  safe  subject  to  leave  in  the  pasture  at  night.  The  cold,  damtj 
ground  and  air  are  apt  to  derange  her  health ;  therefore  she  should 
be  housed  at  night  aad  on  stormy  day?. 

As  regards  milking  th<>  animal  during  pregnanc3%  it  uiust  de- 


102  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

pend  on  circumstances.  A  cow  in  good  condition  may  be  milked 
longer  than  a  poor  one,  and  the  poor,  overmilked  acimal  must 
"  go  dry,"  as  the  saying  is,  for  a  couple  of  months  prior  to  '^alving. 
Should  a  pregnant  animal  yield  milk  up  to  within  a  fortnight  of 
calving,  she  should  have  a  few  bran-mashes,  and  the  daily  quan- 
tity of  food  and  drink  must  be  diminished.  She  should  also  have 
fi-ee  access  to  salt,  and  occasionally  a  table-spoonful  or  so  of  phos- 
phate of  lime  may  be  sprinkled  over  her  fodder. 

Symptoms  of  Pregnancy. 

A  cow  in  healthy  condition  will  be  in  heat  (a  state  of  menstru- 
ation) about  once  a  month.  This  lasts  for  a  period  of  four  days, 
more  or  less.  About  three  or  four  months  after  conception  has 
taken  place,  the  belly  is  enlarged,  and,  on  making  pressure  on  the 
right  flank,  the  motions  of  a  live  foetus  can  be  distinctly  felt. 
Pregnancy  may  be  determined  earlier  than  this  by  auscultation 
(the  art  of  diagnosis  by  listening  to  the  sounds  of  the  heart).  The 
beating  of  the  foetal  heart  can  be  distinctly  heard.  The  ear  should 
be  applied  to  the  right  flank. 


Dropsy  of  the  Womb. 

This  affection  generally  prevails  among  aged  tows,  in  the  latter 
period  of  pregnancy.  The  causes  of  it  are,  perhaps  obscure ;  yet 
it  may  be  attributable,  like  other  dropsies,  to  a  debilitated  condi- 
tion of  the  system,  and  an  impoverished  state  of  the  blood. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  noticed  in  this  affection  are  as  fol- 
lows :  An  unhealthy  and  debilitated  state  of  the  animal ;  visible 
membranes,  pale  and  watery  ;  a  pendulous  and  much  enlarged  con- 
dition of  the  abdomen;  spinal  column,  curved  in  a  downward 
direction  ;  and  the  animal,  when  down,  is  observed  to  rise  with 
difficulty. 

Treatment. — It  often  happens  that  in  dropsy  of  the  uterus,  tl.e 
walls  of  the  abdomen  are  ruptured,  and  the  fluid  escapes  into  the 
cellular  tissue  beneath  the  common  integuments.  This  is  readily 
detected  by  an  unnatural  tumefaction,  or  swelling,  in  some  part 
of  the  abdominal  regiou.  My  usual  practice  in  a  case  of  this  char- 
acter is  to  puncture  the  integument,  and  allow  the  fluid  to  escape. 
I  then  direct  that  the  animal  have  a  few  doses  of  the  following 


DISEASES  OF  THE  GENERATIVE  ORGANS.  103 

Fluid  extract  of  buchn 1   oz. 

Powdered  chlorate  of  potass 4  dr. 

Water 1  pint. 

Mix. 

Give  a  dose  of  the  above  once  or  twice  daily. 

Dropsy  confined  to  the  uterus  is  a  formidable  afifection,  becauae 
it  requires  the  services  of  an  experienced  surgeon,  who  will,  prob- 
ably, tap  th3  dropsical  membranes  through  the  vagina;  yet  the 
operation  is  not  always  advisable,  for'  it  frequently  results  in  pre- 
mature parturition. 

Puerperal  Fever. 

During  the  past  few  years,  very  many  valuable  cows  have  died 
of  "  milk  fever"  (puerperal  fever),  puerperal  convulsions,  etc.  It 
is  a  remarkable  fact  that  this  disease  almost  always  attacks  cows 
in  high  condition ;  hence,  in  view  of  prevention,  we  should  en- 
deavor to  guard  against  the  accumulation  of  fat ;  and  this  can  bo 
done  by  withholding  meal  and  substituting  shorts,  and  also  by 
allowing  considerable  quantities  of  roots  and  grass,  when  they  can 
be  had. 

Puerperal  fever  is  a  disease  of  an  inflammatory  type.  The  state 
of  plethora,  which  is  observed  among  fine  cows  owned  by  wealthy 
individuals,  who  dispense  provender  liberally,  because  they  hate 
to  see  a  "  poor  "  cow,  is  more  likely  to  occur  in  a  cow  when  preg- 
nant and  stall-fed  (from  the  fat  of  the  crib)  than  otherwise,  be- 
cause, under  such  management,  she  does  not  get  exercise  enough 
to  make  away  with  the  carbonaceous  material,  and,  therefore,  it 
increases  from  day  to  day,  and  is  harvested  into  the  cell  reservoirs, 
proving  in  its  bulk  detrimental  to  full  and  free  circulation,  respira- 
tion, and  intestinal  peristaltic  action. 

The  warm  and  impure  atmosphere  which  the  stall-fed  animal  i* 
compelled  to  respire  is  decidedly  operative  in  bringing  about  thai 
condition  known  as  plethora;  therefore  our  object  should  be  tc 
secure  a  current  of  cool  and  pure  air  throughout  the  cow-stable. 
Pure  and  cool  air  is  a  very  potent  physiological,  sedative,  contra- 
stimulant,  and,  as  the  fat  animal  is  in  a  morbid  state  of  excitation 
from  the  stimulus  of  the  food,  as  well  as  artificial  atmosphere,  the 
suffering  creature  will  surely  be  benefited  by  inhaling  the  requisite 
amount  of  an  uncontaniinated  atmosphere. 

The  principal  causes  of  puerperal  fever  in  women  are  said  tn 


104  DAUUS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERTT. 

be  misplaced  l>enevolence,  which  benevolently(!)  furnishes  hex 
with  choice  viands,  rich  caudles,  and  stimulants,  in  view  :f  obvi- 
ating debility  and  insuring  hilarity  of  mind.  Now,  the  condition 
of  the  pregnant  female  being  one  of  increased  susccptibjlit}',  it 
fully  demonstrates  the  incompatibility  of  using  even  what  may 
be  considered  as  the  ordinary  stimulations  of  health.  Therefore, 
in  the  case  of  the  cow,  stimulating  food,  and  an  unnecessary 
amount  of  the  same,  given  "daily  after  the  c/)w  has  "  come  to  her 
gro^vth,"  as  the  saying  is,  may  be  termed  misplaced  benevolence ; 
whereas,  if  the  cow  has  not  attained  her  full  growth,  the  practice 
of  feeding  liberally  is  not  objectionable,  for  she  requires  a  large 
amount  of  nutriment  to  develop  the  various  parts  of  her  organ- 
ism, and  promote  the  integrity  of  the  same,  and  also  to  nourish 
the  foetus  in  utero,  and,  lastly,  for  the  purpose  of  furnishing  the 
necessary  material  for  the  lacteal  secretion.  It  has  been  noticed 
that  great  milkers,  as  well  as  fat  animals,  are  often  the  subjects 
of  puerperal  fever;  and  probably  the  suppression  of  the  milk 
secretion,  in  the  advanced  stage  of  pregnancy,  may  be  an  exciting 
cause  of  the  difficulty,  yet  not  in  all  cases,  for  we  are  pretty  cer- 
tain that  some  cows,  owing  to  a  peculiarity  of  constitution,  are 
predisposed  to  puerperal  hysteritis.  In  view,  therefore,  of  guard- 
ing against  the  consequences  which  may  occur  when  the  animal 
is  suddenly  "  dried  up,"  we  should  be  careful  to  diminish  the 
daily  allowance  of  food,  and  also  feed  lightly  from  this  period  up 
to  that  of  parturition. 

Milking  the  cow  before  calving,  in  view  of  preventing  puer- 
peral fever,  is  very  mischievous,  for  it  is  apt  to  excite  premature 
parturition.  Many  of  the  cows  I  have  attended  for  the  above 
complaint  had  been  so  treated.  Occasionally  the  udder  becomes 
distended  to  a  painful  degree,  so  that  it  is  necessary  to  practice 
moderate  milking,  otherwise  the  practice  is  injurious. 

It  is  generally  sup])osed  that  this  disease  first  manifests  itself 
in  some  parts  of  the  tissues  entering  into  the  composition  of  the 
reproductive  organs ;  or,  in  other  language,  primary  congestion 
and  irritation  of  the  womb,  ending  in  cerebral  congestion  and 
convulsions.  The  cerebral  congestion,  however,  is  not  always  the 
cause  of  convulsions,  for  we  have  many  cases  on  record  in  which 
phlebotomy  was  practiced  on  the  heroic  plan  (an  incredible  amount 
of  blood  having  been  abstracted)  without  arresting  the  convul- 
sions ;  l"^nce,  in  such  cases,  concjestion  is  the  resul"^  not  the  cause. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  GENERATIVE  ORGANS.  105 

tf  convulsions.  A  very  eminent  physician  (Dr.  Logan)  has 
stated,  as  the  result  of  observation,  that  puerperal  convulsions 
were  generally  found  in  females  of  highly  organized  nervous  sys- 
tems, and  who  were  peculiarly  susceptible  to  irritation  of  that 
svstem ;  yet  our  experience  in  this  country,  in  cattle  practice, 
confirms  what  we  have  written  in  the  preceding  part  of  this  arti- 
cle ;  namely,  that  puerperal  convulsions  are  more  frequent  among 
fat  animals  than  in  those  of  lean  condition.  The  theory  of  Dr. 
JyOGAN  may,  in  the  main,  be  correct ;  for  a  lean  animal  (nervous 
temperament)  can,  by  artificial  means,  be  brought  into  the  condi- 
tion known  as  plethora. 

YouATT  contends  that  "cows  in  high  condition  are  most  sub- 
ject to  an  attack  of  puerperal  fever.  Their  excess  of  condition, 
or  state  of  plethora,  disposes  them  to  affections  of  an  inflammatory 
character,  at  all  times  and  under  all  circumstances."  If  it  shall 
prove  to  be  the  case  that  puerperal  fever  is  the  result  of  uterine 
inflammation,  we  should  diagnose  the  case  as  puerperal  hysteritis, 
and  treat  accordingly.  Puerperal  hysteritis  may,  however,  occur 
at  any  period  of  pregnancy. 

Symptoms. — The  early  symptoms  attending  a  disease  of  this 
character  are  such  as  are  found  to  prevail  in  a  disease  of  a  febrile 
character;  namely,  loss  of  appetite,  accelerated  pulse  and  respira- 
tion (the  latter  attended  with  strong  but  quick  abdominal  flank 
movements) ;  tongue,  slightly  coated ;  mouth,  hot  and  clammy  ; 
muzzle,  dry.  There  is  also  a  sort  of  wildness  about  the  eyes  ;  the 
aaimal  is  nervous,  and  some  unusual  spasmodic  twitchings  of  the 
muscles  will  generally  be  observed.  Soon  the  animal  grates  her 
teeth,  foams  at  the  mouth,  dashes  her  head  recklessly  on  the  floor 
(for  she  is  now  on  the  floor).  Examine  the  eye  at  this  stage,  and 
the  pupil  will  be  found  in  an  amaurotic  state.  The  udder  be- 
comes swollen,  hot,  and  tender,  and  the  lacteal  secretion  is  partly 
suspended. 

The  disease  generally  appears  within  a  fortnight  after  calving, 
and  it  may  occur  within  a  very  few  hours.  Its  duration  is  very 
brief,  both  the  curable  and  incurable  cases  terminating  either  one 
way  or  the  other  in  a  short  time;  and  if  violent  convulsions  set 
in,  we  generally  find  that  the  patient  has  but  little  time  to  live. 
Especially  is  this  the  case  when  paraplegia  be  present,  or  paralysis 
in  any  form.  The  principal  symptoms  in  which  the  diagnosis 
must  ])e  founded  are  as  follows :  We  first  ascertain  whether  or  not 


\^n}  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  a:,'l>  SURGERY. 

the  animal  has,  within  the  period  of  a  fortnight,  given  birth  to  a 
calf.  If  so,  and  she  manifests  the  usual  symptoms  of  convulsions, 
(refuses  to  notice  her  calf,  has  lost  the  use,  more  or, less,  of  her 
limbs,  and  the  eyes  present  a  wild  stare,  the  pupils-  being  dilated, 
and  tlie  udder  swollen,)  we  may  then  safely  conclude  that  we  have 
a  case  of  milk  fever  to  deal  with. 

Treaiment. — The  professional  man  treats  the  disease  according 
to  its  indications,  and  the  non-professional,  if  he  attempt  to  treat 
a  case  of  this  character,  must  endeavor  to  do  likewise.  I  can  not 
possibly  commit  to  paper  all  the  necessary  information,  bijt  shall 
merely  lay  down  a  few  simple  rules  for  the  management  of  such 
cases.  At  the  same  time,  I  would  advise  the  owner  of  the  sick 
cow  to  secure,  if  possible,  the  services  of  some  competent  veteri- 
narian. Some  practitioners  recommend  the  abstraction  of  blood 
from  the  jugular  vein,  but  my  practice  is  to  bleed  from  the  bow- 
els, by  administering  purgative  medicine.  In  this  way  the  animal 
can  be  depleted  with  greater  safety  than  by  blood-letting.  The, 
cathartic  is  as  follows : 

Glauber  salts 12  oz. 

Powdered  ginger ^  oz. 

Warm  water 1  qt. 

First  dissolve  the  salts  in  the  above  amount  of  water,  tlien  add 
the  ginger.  Drench  the  animal  by  means  of  a  quart  bottle.  Take 
time  to  pour  it  down  the  oesophagus,  and  the  more  speedily  will 
it  act.  If  I  have  no  faith  in  blood-letting,  I  may  be  said  to  have 
great  faith  in  purgation;  for,  as  Percivall  very  truly  observes, 
in  regard  to  the  treatment  of  staggers  in  horses,  "  Purge  a  horse 
and  you  cure  him,"  so  I  say  in  regard  to  the  treatment  of  puer- 
peral fever.  Purge  a  cow  and  she  shall  be  cured.  The  bowels 
must  be  made  to  liberate  their  cont(5nts.  After  having  adminis- 
tered the  medicine,  the  patient  must  be  watched,  and,  when,  she 
lies  down,  let  her  have  a  comfortable  bed  of  hay ;  and  the  attend- 
ant should  occasionally  sponge  her  head  with  cold  water.  Wlien 
down,  a  good  stimulating  alkaline  enema  may  be  thrown  into  the 
rectum,  composed  of 

Warm  water 2  qts. 

Giwger ^  oz. 

Fine  salt 2  oz. 

Supposing  that,  after  a  lapse  of  six  or  eight  hours,  the  '  owel» 


PARTURITION.  107 

fail  to  respond  to  the  purgative,  half  the  quantity  just  recom- 
mended may  be  given ;  and  perhaps  it  may  be  proper,  in  view  of 
creating  a  vacuum  in  the  rectum,  to  repeat  the  enema ;  for  pur- 
gation once  established  our  patient  is  safe;  yet,  in  view  of  pro- 
ducing this  very  desirable  result,  it  is  not  a  rational  procedure  to 
convert  thg  stomach  into  an  apothecary's  shop,  and  gorge  it  with 
useless  drugs,  as  is,  unfortunately,  too  often  the  case ;  for,  by  this 
means,  a  medicinal  disease  is  created,  which  is  generally  more 
uncontrollable  than  the  original  one. 

In  curable  cases  it  is  very  rare  for  the  above  medicine  to  fail  in 
exciting  catharsis;  however,  such  remedy  is  not  always  at  hand 
(I  mean  the  salts).  The  next  best  remedy  is  common  table  salt, 
to  be  substituted  for  the  Glauber  or  Epsom  salts. 

Other  indications  to  be  fulfilled  in  the  Treatment  of  this  Dis- 
ease.— The  palsied  limbs  require  attention.  Let  them  be  diligently 
rubbed  with  tincture  of  capsicum  (hot  drops),  in  view  of  producing 
reaction.  By  this  means  we  equalize  the  circulation,  and  thus 
relieve  internal  congestion.  Should  the  bowels  be  tympanitic,  or 
distended  with  gas,  a  quart  of  ginger  tea  may  be  given ;  and  it 
may  do  more  good  if  a  small  quantity  of  carbonate  of  soda  be 
added  to  the  same.  Should  the  animal  be  thirsty,  a  small  quan- 
tity of  powdered  niter  may  be  dissolved  in  water  or  thin  gruel, 
and  offered  to  her.  After  the  bowels  have  operated,  the  danger 
passed,  a  few  doses  of  alterative  medicine  may  be  given.  This  is 
composed  of 

Fluid  extract  of  sassafras 1  oz. 

Fluid  extract  of  hops 3  dr. 

Water 1  gill. 

Mix. 

The  following  case,  from  the  author's  note-book,  is  here  intro- 
duced to  illustrate  a  new  mode  of  treatment.     The  case  occurred 

in  a  five-year  old  cow,  the  prop'^rty  of  Mr.  G ,  of  Maiden, 

Mass.  The  animal  gave  birth,  without  assistance,  to  a  healthy 
male  calf.  The  birth  took  place  during  the  night-time,  at  pas- 
ture, the  weather  being  rather  tempestuous.  Three  days  after 
parturition,  the  cow  showed  symptoms  of  failing  health,  and  the 
owner,  like  a  sensible  man,  instead  of  boring  the  animal's  horns, 
at  the  suggestion  of  the  neighbors,  preferred  to  seek  advice; 
hence  my  services  were  secured. 

The  patient  was  down  on  the  left  side ;   pupils,  amaurotic ; 


lOfe  UADDS  VETKKINAUV  .MI':DIC[NE  AND  SURGERY 

pulse,  scarcely  perceptible ;  respiration,  of  a  stertorous  ci.arsoter, 
and  accelerated;  surface  of  the  body,  comfortably  warm;  visible 
surfaces,  of  a  leaden  hue;  abdomen,  slightly  tympanitic.  The 
animal  occasionally  turned  its  head  toward  the  costal  region,  and 
returned  it  recklessly  to  the  floor;  mamma,  tumefied  and  h»t;  in- 
ternal surface  of  the  labia  pudendi,  inflamed.  The  patient  take-s 
no  notice  of  its  offspring.  Applied  counter-irritants  to  the  spinal 
and  pectoral  regions,  and  then  applied  sulphuric  ether  to  the 
nostrils.  The  object  in  administering  sulphuric  ether  -was  to 
diminish  the  reflex  excitability  of  the  nervous  system,  and  so  cut 
short  the  convulsive  paroxysms.  The  ether  appeared  to  prove 
invaluable;  for,  soon  after  its  administration,  the  animal  appea/cd 
calm,  tranquil,  and  rational,  and  soon  began  to  take  notice  of  its 
offspring.  I  then  administered  table  salt,  eight  ounces;  water, 
one  pint.  Flannels,  saturated  with  infusion  of  hops,  were  now 
applied  to  the  mamma,  and  renewed  occasionally.  In  the  course 
of  thirty-six  hours  after  the  administration  of  the  ether,  the  pa- 
tient was  standing  up,  nursing  her  offspring,  and,  at  the  same 
time,  partook  of  a  bran-mash.  The  following  three  days,  the  pa- 
tient got  two  drachms  of  fluid  extract  of  chamomile  flowers  per 
diem,  and  was  then  turned  out  to  grass,  and  did  very  well. 

Remarks  on  the  Preceding  Case. — The  treatment  of  puerperal 
fever,  in  bygone  days,  is  a  disgrace  to  what  has  been  considered 
as  a  "learned  profession."  It  is  a  very  unfortunate  circumstance 
that  such  learned  men  as  Ramsbotham,  Churchill,  Meigs,  and 
other  equally  distinguished  midwifarians,  should  contend  that 
"  the  lancet  is  our  sheet-anchor  in  puerperal  convulsions."  They 
inform  the  world  of  medical  non-thinkers  that  the  daring  use  of 
"  the  lancet  is  demanded ; "  that  "  the  lancet  is  our  sheet-anchor : " 
that  "  blood  must  be  taken  largely ; "  yet  a  great  proportion  of 
their  patients  thus  treated  prematurely  pay  th';  debt  of  Nature 
secundum  artem.  What  a  libel  on  a  "learned  profession"  is  this 
state  of  affairs!  And,  unfortunately,  the  distinguished  French 
surgeon  Cazeaux  has  indorsed  the  reckless  tactics  of  Eng- 
land's universally  wretched  practice ;  namely,  "  sanguine  emis- 
sions." Now,  I  contend  that  the  routine  })ractice  of  the  acknowl- 
edged authorities  will  not  stand  the  test  of  modern  medical  logic ; 
that  it  is  contrary  to  all  demonstrat've  experience,  and,  therefore, 
should  receive  the  seal  of  oblivious  antiquity,  never  to  be  reacted 
or  countenanced  by  sensible  men.     The  old  school  heretics  ar*» 


PARTURITION.  10J> 

great  sticklers  for  the  support  of  their  tottering  fabric — namely, 
*•'  that  fever  and  inflammation  must  be  subdued  " — and  they  com- 
mit outrages  on  the  physiological  laws  of  animality  by  instituting 
a  series  of  manipulations,  redolent  of  the  aroma,  acceptable  to  the 
god  of  pathology,  whom  they  worship  with  the  spontaneous  faith 
of  a  new  convert. 

Falling  (or  Inversion)  of  the  Wo:mb. 

This  sad  accident  is  generally  occasioned  by  extra  uterine  ex- 
pulsive action,  at  the  moment  of  the  birth  of  the  calf,  aided  by 
adhesions  of  the  placenta  to  the  cotyledons,  by  which  means,  in 
the  process  of  delivery,  the  uterus  is  actually  turned  inside  out. 
The   relaxation  of  the  ligaments,  which  ordinarily  confine  the 


FALLIXG  OF  THE   WOMB. 

ExPLA>ATiOK.-Fig.  1,  Pudendum  ;  2  0,  Region  of  the  neck  of  the  womb  ;  3,  Vagina;  4,  The 
cotyledons  of  glands  of  the  uterus  ;  5,  Body  of  the  womb  turned  inside  out. 

Uterus  to  the  pelvic  cavity,  may  be  one  among  the  various  causes 
which  tend  to  induce  inversion.  The  accident,  so  far  as  my  ex- 
perience goes,  is  apt  to  occur  in  animals  of  an  inferior^lass,  coarse 
and  flabbily  organized,  and  among  others  in  a  debilitated  condi- 
tion. The  only  way  to  prevent  a  recurrence  of  inversion  is  to 
spav  the  cow. 

Treatment— The  old  method  of  introducing  the  arm,  in  order 
to  force  back  the  protruded  parts,  is  now  superseded  by  a  bulbous 
rod  of  iron,  which  must  be  applied  to  the  fundus  or  base  of  the 


110  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

womb.  A  due  amount  of  pressure  being  steadily  made,  an  assist* 
ant  manipulates  the  sides,  and  the  womb  is  re-inverted.  Some- 
times it  is  very  difficult  to  get  the  womb  back,  in  consequence  of 
latent  uterine  action,  which  convulsively  resists  our  efforts,  and 
violently  sends  it  out  again  at  the  moment  of  return.  Should 
the  otmvulsive  action  of  the  uterus  continue  any  great  length  of 
time,  I  should  etherize  the  animal,  and,  when  fully  under  its  in- 
fluence, the  reduction  may  again  be  attempted,  and  probably  ccn- 
summated.  The  instrument  should  be  kept  in  the  womb  for 
some  time  after  reduction,  so  as  to  give  the  muscular  fibers  of  its 
walls  time  enough  to  contract ;  and  it  may  be  necessary  to  have  a 
man  in  attendance  for  a  whole  day  or  more,  in  view  of  accom- 
plishing this  result. 

So  soon  as  the  reduction  is  complete,  I  should  sponge  the  loins 
often  with  cold  water ;  or  a  better  plan,  perhaps,  would  be  to  pack 
the  loins,  after  the  fashion  of  hydropathy.  The  loins  and  abdo- 
men will,  by  this  method,  receive  considerable  support,  which  will 
be  favorable  to  induce  contractile  power  in  the  uterus. 

Sometimes  the  presence  of  the  bulbous  instrument  in  the  uterus, 
after  reduction,  tends  to  keep  up  the  after-pains,  or  expulsive  ac- 
tion, and  if  so,  it  must  be  removed,  previous  to  which,  however, 
some  stout  tape  should  be  sent  through  the  thick  skin  in  the  re- 
gion of  the  prominences  found  on  each  side  of  the  vaginal  outlet, 
known  as  the  tuberosity  of  the  ischium.  This  is  a  much  better 
plan  than  that  of  stitching  the  vaginal  lips.  After  removing  the 
instrument,  a  pad  may  be  placed  on  the  lips  of  the  vagina;  then 
tie  the  tape  sutures  moderately  tight.  Tavo  sutures  will  answer, 
and  they  can  be  allowed  to  remain  until  all  danger  of  re-inversion 
has  passed.  The  animal  should  be  placed  in  a  situation  where  the 
hind  parts  can  be  elevated  a  few  inches. 

The  following  cases  appear  interesting  enough  to  obtain  a 
space  in  this  work,  and  I  recommend  them  to  the  reader's  perusal. 
They  occurred  in  the  practice  of  Surgeon  Younghusband  : 

"On  the  morning  of  the  3d  of  January,  1850,  I  was  sent  for, 
in  great  haste,  to  attend  a  cow  that  three  days  before  had  calved, 
and,  apparently,  up  to  this  time,  had  done  well ;  but  on  that 
morning,  on  the  cow-keeper  attending  as  usual,  he  found  the  cow 
down,  and  the  whole  of  the  uterus  protruding  through  the  vagina. 
On  my  arrival,  I  found  her  as  described,  with  the  uterus  in  a  most 
loathsome  state,  from  being  suffered  to  remain  unprotected  amonj.' 


PARTURITION.  Ill 

the  dung  and  urine  of  the  cow-house,  and  also  the  placental  mem- 
branes adherent.  Plenty  of  assistance  being  at  hand,  we  had  her 
up,  well-raised  her  hind  parts,  and  in  that  position  secured  her,  ?« 
that  she  could  not  well  slip  down  again.  Having  carefully  de- 
tached the  placenta,  I  next  proceeded  tc  cleanse  the  parts  by 
washing  them  with  a  mixture  of  weak  spirit  and  water.  Hav- 
ing accomplished  tliis,  I  proceeded  to  return  the  part;  but,  on 
minutely  examining  that  viscus,  before  attempting  its  replace- 
ment, I  discovered  in  it  a  large  rent,  through  which  I  easily  in- 
troduced my  hand ;  and,  for  the  better  satisfaction  of  the  owner, 
I  caused  one  of  the  bystanders  to  do  the  same,  to  show  them  that 
it  was  not  through  any  mismanagement  of  mine  that  this  unto- 
ward accident  had  taken  place;  for,  in  my  belief,  another  cow 
had  trod  upon  it  while  she  was  down,  and  thus  done  the  misch-ief. 
After  this,  I  effected  its  return  without  much  difficulty.  Judging 
that  I  had  got  all  the  part  into  a  right  position,  etc.,  I  made  an 
attempt  to  withdraw  my  arm ;  but,  in  doing  this,  the  cow  imme- 
diately began  to  strain  with  such  violence  that  it  was  not  without 
the  greatest  difficulty  that  I  could  retain  the  part  in  statu  quo. 
But,  by  a  fortunate  slip,  her  anterior  parts  were  brought  so  near 
the  ground  that  I  now  easily  accomplished  that  which,  for  a  length 
of  time,  I  had  found  the  greatest  difficulty  in  attempting  to  do ; 
namely,  getting  the  part  into  a  right  position,  retaining  it  there, 
and  withdrawing  my  arm  without  difficulty.  The  cow  now 
straining  very  little  or  none,  I  applied  the  usual  means  of  pre- 
x'ention,  gave  an  anodyne,  had  her  set  up  from  the  awkward 
j.osition  into  which  she  had  got,  and  waited  to  see  the  result.  I 
vetreated  for  a  short  time,  leaving  a  watch,  in  case  any  thing 
untoward  should  again  take  place.  On  my  return,  I  found  hor 
still  up,  attended  with  no  bad  symptoms,  very  little  straining, 
and  appearing  to  be  more  comfortable  than  her  situation  would 
warrant.  She  was  now  offered  a  little  food,  of  which  she  seemed 
to  partake  freely.  Still,  I  warned  the  owner  of  the  danger,  and 
told  him  I  had  not  the  slightest  hope  of  her  recovery.  To  be 
brief,  from  that  time  she  had  a  little  fever  medicine  occasionally, 
and  I  paid  her  a  few  visits,  still  finding  her  apparently  improv- 
ing, and  on  my  last  visit,  on  the  10th,  found  her  in  so  favorable 
a  situation  that  I  told  the  owner  that,  being  at  a  great  distance, 
unless  I  heard  more  from  him,  I  would  discontinue  my  attend- 
ance ;  nor  had  I  more  occasion  to  repeat  them.     The  cow  did  well, 


112  dadd's  veterinary  medicine  and  surgery. 

and  has  since  had  two  more  calves,  without  needing  any  of  my 
assistance. 

The  second  case  was  that  of  a  cow  belonging  to  Mr.  T.  Monk- 
house,  of  Moredale,  in  my  neighborhood,  which  calved  appar- 
ently with  the  greatest  ease,  showing  no  signs  of  particular 
uneasiness ;  but  on  paying  her  a  visit,  he  found  her  with  the 
uterus  protruded  and  the  placenta  attached.  They  immediate- 
ly secured  the  part,  so  as  it  might  receive  little  or  no  injury 
from  the  contact  of  foreign  bodies.  In  the  mean  time,  a  mes- 
senger was  dispatched  for  me.  Being  at  home,  I  vvas  not  long 
in  being  at  my  post.  After  having  her  put  in  a  position  which 
I  considered  favorable,  I  proceeded  to  detach  the  placenta, 
which  was  easily  done,  and  the  part  being  free  from  dirt,  was 
soon  ready  for  returning,  which,  from  the  dilated  state  of  the 
parts  of  generation,  was,  of  all  cases  I  ever  had,  the  mo^t 
easily  accomplished.  But  mark  the  sequel.  When  I  imagined 
I  had  made  all  right,  the  cow,  appearing  to  suffer  very  little 
from  the  effects  of  the  operation,  was  let  up  from  her  situation, 
and  I  had  withdrawn  my  arm,  when,  behold,  a  portion  of  the 
small  intestine  made  its  appearance  through  the  vulva  !  Judge 
of  my  consternation  now,  having  no  cause  to  fear  such  an  un- 
toward act.  I  told  the  owner  how  the  case  stood,  and  frankly 
confessed  my  ignorance  of  its  cause.  I  now  proceeded  to  find 
out  the  rent  in  the  uterus,  which  I  soon  did,  it  being  in  its 
posterior  part,  and,  without  much  difficulty,  got  the  intestine 
returned.  My  next  aim  was  to  cause  as  much  contraction  of 
the  uterus  as  I  could,  so  as  to  bring  the  divided  edges  of  the 
organ  together.  This  I  did  by  the  application  of  camphorated 
tincture  of  opium,  and  which,  I  am  proud  to  say,  soon  gave 
me  the  required  satisfaction — so  much  so,  indeed,  that  before 
I  withdrew  my  arm  the  laceration  was  scarcely  distinguishable 
to  the  touch.  The  cow,  in  this  case,  appearing  in  so  easy  a 
state,  no  truss  was  applied  the  first  night,  but  a  person  stayed 
with  her,  if  possible  to  prevent  future  ills.  Now,  I  must  say, 
of  all  cows,  this  one  has  gone  on  most  favorably.  To  give  a 
description  of  her  treatment  would  be  a  waste  of  time  and 
paper,  since  as  to  the  medical  treatment  it  amounted  almost 
to  nothing.  Careful  nursing,  with  a  few  solitary  doses  of 
medicine,  constituted  the  whole." 


SECTION    VI. 

DISEASEb    OF    THE    UDDER,    TEATS,    ETC. 

Mammitis — Stricture  in  Cows'  Teats — Obstruction  at  the  end  op  the  Teats — 
Obstbuction  in  the  Teats — Tumors  in  tue  Teats — Injuries  to  the  Teats — 
Sore  Teats — Chapped  Teats  and  Chafed  Udder — Inversion  of  the  Vagina 
— Laceration  of  the  Vagina — Abortion — Inflammatort  Affections  of  the 
Hind  Limbs  after  Calving. 

Maimmitis. 

MAMMITIS  signifies  inflammation  of  the  udder.  It  usually 
consists  of  tumefaction,  attended  with  heat  and  pain,  and 
generally  sets  in  shortly  after  calving.  The  treatment  of  this  af- 
fection should  be  antiphlogistic.  Let  the  animal  have  a  full  dose 
of  Glauber  salts,  and  apply  a  refrigerating  lotion  to  the  udder 
(cold  water  will  answer),  in  view  of  reducing  the  temperature  of 
the  same.  In  this  state  of  the  udder  scarcely  any  milk  flows,  and 
what  comes  is  often  bloody.  Soon  an  entire  obstruction  takes 
place,  or  nothing  but  a  watery  secretion  can  be  got  away.  Next, 
the  udder  hardens  in  places,  abscesses  form,  and  then  the  secretory 
♦unction  of  one  or  more  quarters  is  destroyed.  The  animal  now 
has  the  "  garget,"  and  ten  chances  to  one  if  the  part  or  parts  are 
ever  restored.  The  only  way  to  prevent  garget  is  to  let  the  calf 
suck  immediately  after  it  is  born,  or  else  introduce  a  tube  into  one 
or  more  of  the  teats,  and  thus  evacuate  the  milk  ere  it  coagulates. 
Symptoms. — The  disease,  at  its  commencement,  invariably  con- 
sists of  an  inflamed  condition  of  the  mamma,  or  "  bag,"  character- 
ized by  pain,  heat,  swelling,  and  more  or  less  febrile  symptoms. 
It  is  precisely  the  same  disease  which  many  nursing  women  are 
prone  to  and  suifer  from,  and  its  terminations,  when  not  arrested 
in  the  early  stage,  are  exactly  the  same ;  namely,  suppuration,  form- 
ation of  an  abscess,  induration,  or  hardening  of  the  walls  of  ''he 
H  (113) 


114       ^       DADDS  VETEKINAIIV  MEDICINE  AND  FURGEIiY 

bag.  In  the  human  female  the  suppurative  stage  is  known  to 
nurses  as  "broken  breast;"  and  the  state  of  induration  or  harden- 
ing wliich  follows,  or  may  exist  independent  of  an  abscess,  is  com- 
monly called  "  caked  "  breast ;  hence  the  term  caked  udder.  Such 
is  the  character  of  this  disease  as  it  occurs  among  cows  Jn  the 
Suited  States.  In  Europe  it  occasionally  assumes  a  more  maUg- 
nant  form,  and  it  often  becomes  necessary  to  extirpate  the  wluAf 
gland. 

Treatment. — The  disease  should  be  attended  to  in  its  early  stagfi, 
and  the  milk  must  be  evacuated,  so  that  it  shall  not  accumulate 
nor  coagulate.  In  order  to  do  this,  a  metallic  tube  may  be  inserted 
iulo  the  teat,  and  allowed  to  remain  there,  so  that  the  milk  shall 
flow  as  fast  as  it  is  secreted.  The  inflamed  part  must  be  bathed 
with  cold  water  several  times  during  the  day,  to  which  add  a  few 
drops  of  tincture  of  arnica,  and,  if  the  part  be  very  painful,  an  in- 
fusion of  hops  may  be  used.  Afterward  anoint  the  parts  with  a 
small  quantity  of  glycerine.  The  animal  must  be  kept  on  a  very 
light  diet  (scalded  shorts  are  good)  :  and  if  she  be  fat,  or  the  least 
constipation  of  bow^els  exist,  I  should  give  one  pound  of  Epsom 
salts,  dissolved  in  warm  water,  to  which  may  be  added  a  small 
(juantity  of  molasses  and  a  tea-spoonful  of  ginger. 

Supposing  the  case  to  be  in  the  suppurative  stage,  and  it  is  evi- 
dent that  pus  or  "  matter "  is  forming  within  the  "  bag,"  or  its 
walls,  it  may  be  poulticed  with  flaxseed,  or  rubbed  twice  daily 
with  some  stimulating  liniment — say  linseed  oil,  two  ounces; 
spirits  of  hartshorn,  one  drachm.  So  soon  as  the  matter  burrows 
to  the  surface,  and  a  soft  spot  can  be  detected,  it  should  have  a 
free  opening  made  into  it,  by  means  of  a  thumb-lancet.  The 
matter  must  then  be  squeezed  out,  and  into  the  cavity  syringe 
some  salt  and  water,  or  a  little  tincture  of  aloes.  In  the  suppu 
lative  stage  I  generally  order  a  generous  diet. 

In  the  indurated  stage,  the  treatment  consists  in  excit'ng  ab 
sorption  of  the  parts ;  and  in  this  view^  I  recommend  iodide  of 
potassium,  known  as  "  hydriodate  of  potassa."  It  is  one  of  the 
most  efficient  remedies  for  the  absorption  of  abnormal  growths 
that  I  have  ever  used,  and  it  is  highly  recommended  in  our  text- 
books by  men  well  acquainted  with  its  modus  operandi.  The  dose 
of  hydriodate  of  potassa  is  twenty  grains  per  day,  to  be  pulverizea 
and  dissolved  in  water.  Being  inodorous  and  almost  tasteless, 
there  is  no  trouble  about  the  j>atiert  drinking  it      T^'e  medicin 


DISEASES  OF  THE  UDDER,  TEATS,  ETC.  115 

HJS;  be  continuea  until  the  enlargement  Jisappears,  when  the 
Jose  may  be  gradually  lessened.  If  I  were  called  upon  to  treat 
a  chronic  case  of  long  standing,  I  should,  in  addition  to  the  ibove, 
besmear  the  parts  daily  with  a  portion  of  the  following : 

Iodide  of  potassium 1  dr. 

Glycerine 7  dr 

Mix. 


Stricture  in  Cows'  Teats. 

I  was  lately  consulted  in  reference  to  the  case  of  a  very  valu- 
able imported  cow,  that  had  obstruction  in  the  off  posterior  teat. 
She  had  given  birth,  about  a  week  previous,  to  twin  calves.  The 
obstruction  appeared  to  be  located  about  half  way  up  the  teat.  I 
fomented  the  parts  with  an  infusion  of  lobelia,  after  which  the 
tube  was  easily  introduced. 

Obstruction  at  the  Ends  of  the  Teats. 

It  occasionally  happens  that  a  fungous  or  warty  excrescence 
makes  its  appearance  at  the  end  and  center  of  the  teat,  which  ob- 
structs the  flow  of  milk,  and  is  very  annoying  and  painful  to  the 
animal.  This  should  be  removed  by  the  scalpel,  taking  care  to 
dissect  away  every  portion  of  the  morbid  growth.  The  part  is 
then  to  be  sprinkled  with  powdered  bloodroot,  in  order  to  prevent 
union  of  the  edges  of  the  outlet  of  the  teat.  The  milk-tube,  well- 
oiled,  must  now  and  then  be  introduced. 


Obstruction  in  the  Teats. 

A  simple  obstruction  in  the  teats  is  frequently  occasioned  by 
imperfect  union  in  the  lining  membrane. 

Treatment. — This  is  easily  remedied  by  introducing  a  tube  coH' 
*tructed  for  the  purpose,  which  should  be  well  lubricated  with 
olive  oil,  and  allowed  to  remain  in  the  lactiferous  channel  for 
several  hours  daily,  or  until  all  danger  of  readhesion  has  passed 
away.  The  lactiferous  outlet  is  sometimes  obstructed  by  false 
membranes  running  across  its  channel.  These  must  be  annihio 
!ated  by  the  introduction  of  the  tube. 


11<3  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  ..ND  SURGERY. 


Tumors  in  the  Teats. 

Tumors  are  occasionally  found  in  the  teats.  Their  pres9nc€ 
is  determined  by  bulbous  enlargement,  which,  on  manipulation 
appear  very  evident. 

Treatment. — The  method  of  operation  in  such  cases  is  to  intro 
duce  a  tube^  well  smeared  with  iodine  ointment,  and    epeat  tbr 
operation,  two  or  three  times  daily,  until  the  milk  passes  freely. 

Injuries  to  the  Teats. 

I  have  met  with  several  cases  of  injury  to  the  teats  in  the  form 
of  an  incision,  which  occurred  accidentally  on  the  animal  rising 
from  the  ground,  cutting  or  lacerating  the  same  with  its  own  hoofs. 

Treatment. — AVhen  the  accident  is  discovered  shortly  after  it 
happens,  the  parts  may  be  brought  together  by  uninterrupted 
suture.  The  seam  is  then  coated  with  collodion,  and  the  milk 
must  be  evacuated  wholly  by  the  tube  until  the  parts  have  united. 
Sometimes  the  union  is  not  complete,  but  a  small  fistulous  openkig 
is  left,  through  which  the  milk  is  constantly  dribbling.  The  only 
way  to  remedy  this  is  to  convert  the  fistula  into  a  simple  flesh- 
wound.  This  is  done  by  means  of  a  sharp-pointed  knife,  whicli 
removes  the  thin  callus  forming  the  interior  of  the  fistula.  The 
raw  edges  are  then  to  be  brought  together  by  suture,  and  colics- 
dion  and  the  tube  used,  as  before. 

Sore  Teats. 

Treatment. — First,  wash  with  warm  water  and  castile  soap ;  then 
lubricate  the  parts  with  equal  portions  of  lime-water  and  linseed 
oil. 

Chapped  Teats  and  Chafed  Udder. 

Treatment. — Foment  the  parts  daily  with  an  infusion  of  chamo  • 
mile  flowers  for  at  least  fifteen  minutes  at  a  time;  then  wipe  dry, 
and  use  the  lime  liniment.  These  temporary,  or  what  might, 
with  more  j^ropriety,  be  termed  local  maladies,  will,  if.the  system 
be  free  from  morbid  matter,  generally  yield  to  local  remedies,  [f, 
however,  no  change  for  the  better  can  be  observed,  the  following 
aperient  should  be  given  : 


£/ISEASES  OF  THE  UDDER,  TEATte,  ETC.  IH 

Fluid  extract  of  golden  seal 3  dr. 

Powdered  mandrake i  oz. 

Powdered  ginger 1  tea-spoonful. 

Dissolve  in  warm  water,  one  quart,  and  drench  the  animal  witb 
the  same.  In  the  event  of  the  above  remedies  failing  to  give  relief, 
anoint  the  parts  twice  daily  with  a  compound  composed  of  glyce- 
rine, four  ounces,  and  fine  elm  flour  enough  to  form  a  thin  pasto 


Inversion  of  the  Vagina. 

Inversion  of  the  vagina  generally  occurs  in  the  latter  months 
of  pregnancy,  at  a  time  when  the  digestive  organs  are  somewhat 
impaired,  either  actually  or  sympathetically.  In  either  condition 
the  food  is  very  apt  to  be  imperfectly  remasticated,  and  ferments. 
This  gives  rise  to  the  formation  of  gas  within  the  alimentary  canal, 
and  occasions  tumefaction  of  the  compartments  of  the  stomach  and 
large  intestines.  In  this  state  they  take  up  more  room  than  can 
be  spared  for  their  occupancy ;  hence  the  pressure  in  a  posterior 
direction,  which  forces  the  vagina  out  of  its  location. 

Treatment. — When  this  difficulty  occurs  in  a  cow  on  the  eve  of 
parturition,  there  will  be  some  danger  of  inversion  of  the  uterus, 
unless  the  reduction  is  effected  before  delivery ;  therefore  I  should 
endeavor  to  make  room  in  the  abdominal  cavity,  by  putting  a  stop 
to  the  fermentation  which  is  going  on  in  the  stomach.  In  this 
view,  I  recommend  that  the  animal  have  the  following  drench : 

Hyposulphite  of  soda 1   oz. 

Powdered  golden  seal 4  dr. 

Water 1  qt. 

Mix. 

Having  administered  this  drench,  procure  a  soft  sponge,  and 
foment  the  part  (if  it  be  much  inflamed  and  painful)  with  a  tepid 
infusion  of  hops.  If  the  inversion  bp  of  recent  origin,  and  nf/1 
much  congested,  cold  water  may  be  used  instead.  After  awhile 
jressure  and  manipulation  may  accomplish  the  reduction  ;  yet  it 
is  apt  to  reappear,  and  continue  to  do  so  until  the  animal  has  got 
rid  of  her  burden.  The  reduction,  however,  must  be  effectpd,  if 
possible,  every  time  the  protrusion  makes  its  appearance,  .r  the 
cow  will  suffer  from  retention  of  urine. 

It  is  very  evident  to  me  that  very  many  cases  of  inversion  of 
the  vagina  are  caused  by  indigestion ;  therefore  great  care  should 


11«  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

be  exercised  in  the  feeding  of  cows  during  the  last  months  ol 
pregnancy. 

Laceration  of  the  Vagina. 

This  is  an  accident  of  very  frequent  occurrence  among  cows,  yet 
seldom  proves  fatal.  It  often  occurs  from  the  rough  manner, 
sometimes  practiced,  of  bringing  the  feet  forward  ;  therefore  great 
care  is  necessary  in  conducting  an  artificial  labor  to  a  successful 
termination. 

The  following  case  of  extensive  laceration  of  the  vagina  of  the 
cow,  given  by  the  "  London  Veterinarian,"  goes  to  show  the  po- 
tency of  Nature  in  the  cure  of  disease  and  injuries  : 

"  Mr.  J.  W.  Maw,  veterinary  student,  has  sent  us  the  following 
particulars  relating  to  a  case  of  willful  laceration  of  the  vagina, 
and  contiguous  parts  of  a  cow :  '  Mr.  Crosby,  who  is  in  practice 
at  Thornton  Pickering,  Yorkshire,  as  a  veterinary  surgeon,  was 
called,  a  short  time  ago,  to  attend  a  milch  cow  which  presented 
symptoms  of  colic.  On  his  visiting  her,  he  observed  a  piece  of 
stick,  about  three  inches  long,  protruding  from  the  vagina,  and, 
on  removing  it,  he  found  that  it  was  about  a  yard  in  length,  and 
had  been  thrust  through  the  vagina,  and  likewise  the  rectum,  into 
the  abdomen.  Previous  to  its  removal  the  cow  did  not  evince 
such  symptoms  as  one  would  have  been  led  to  expect  in  an  animal 
suffering  from  such  a  severe  injury.  There  was  but  little  external 
hemorrhage,  the  symptoms,  upon  the  whole,  rather  indicating  tliat 
internal  hemorrhage  was  going  on.  Anodynes  were  administered, 
and  quietude  enjoined.  No  inflammatory  symptoms  supervened, 
and,  in  the  course  of  ten  days  or  a  fortnight,  the  animal  had  re- 
covered. The  atrocious  act  is  supposed  to  have  been  perpetrated 
by  some  gypsies,  who  were  located  near  the  place  at  the  time,  from 
their  going,  in  the  following  morning,  to  beg  the  carcass,  thinking, 
probably,  that  the  poor  animal  was  dead.' " 

Abortion  in  Cows. 

The  cow  is  the  most  liable  of  all  domestic  animals  to  abortion, 
and  those  that  have  once  been  the  subjects  of  this  mishap  are  lia- 
ble to  a  recurrence  of  the  same.  Mr.  Youatt,  in  his  work  on 
cattle,  furnishes  some  very  useful  information  on  this  subject ;  still> 
the  direct  cause"  of  .'abortion  are,  like  many  other  enzootic  aud  epi- 


DISEASES  OF  'I HE  UDDER,  TEATS,  ETC.  119 

lootic  affections,  involved  in  obscurity.  That  it  occasionally  rages 
as  an  enzootic  pest,  is  clearly  shown  by  the  records  of  the  past,  and 
by  what  occurred,  a  short  time  ago,  among  the  dairy  cows  of  a 
milking  establishment  at  Concord,  N.  H.,  without  mentioning 
other  cases,  which  of  late  have  been  chronicled  in  our  agri-cultural 
periodicals. 

]t  occasionally  appears  as  an  insolated  evil.  An  Alderney  cow, 
the  property  of  Mr.  Burnet,  of  Southboro,  has,  in  the  course  of 
tliiee  years,  aborted  four  times.  At  the  time  of  writing  this  arti- 
cle my  attention  was  called  to  her.  I  recommended  that  she  should 
be  spayed ;  the  owner  consented,  and,  of  course,  she  thereafter  be- 
came a  more  useful  animal  in  supporting  other  offspring  than  her 
own.  I  call  this  an  isolated  case,  because  Mr.  Burnet  informed 
me  that  his  other  cows  had  not  aborted.  She  inherits  a  tendency 
to  abort. 

A  theory  has  been  broached  by  some  writer  that  severe  winters, 
succeeded  by  warm  springs,  hilly  pasturage,  the  practice  of  allow- 
ing young  stock  and  one  and  two-year  old  bulls  to  run  with  the 
breeding  cows  is  likely  to  end  in  abortion.  This  is  sheer  non- 
sense, and  is  not  entitled  to  the  l^ast  consideration ;  and,  relying 
on  the  intelligence  of  my  readers,  I  refrain  from  offering  any  ar- 
gument in  view  of  controverting  evident  absurdities.  The  fact  is, 
some  cows  will  abort,  no  matter  what  may  be  the  nature  of  the 
pasturage  or  condition  of  the  atmosphere ;  and  so  will  Avomen  mis- 
carry occasionally,  in  spite  of  their  own  precautions  and  the  advice 
of  their  physicians  to  prevent  it.  It  is  evident,  therefore,  that 
there  exists  in  the  animal  economy  of  some  subjects  peculiarities 
of  constitution  termed  idiocyncrasies,  which,  inider  certain  circum- 
stances, and  on  the  application  of  the  cause,  (indirect,)  develop  the 
latent  pathological  fire,  and  thus  they  abort.' 

When  abortion  prevails  among  a  whole  herd  of  cows  on  one 
man's  farm,  I  should  consider  it  as  an  enzootic,  arising  sponta- 
neously, and  afterward  propagated  by  infection  or  by  sympathetic 
influence.  Youatt  gives  a  quotation  which  favors  these  views: 
"  In  the  Leipsic  '  Agricultural  Gazette,'  it  is  stated  that,  '  by  an 
unheal  -  -of  fatality,  the  abortion  of  cows  in  that  district  was  almost 
general,  and  that,  after  the  most  anxious  search,  no  assignable 
cause  for  it  could  be  discovered,  nor  would  any  medicine  or  medi- 
cal treatment  arrest  the  plague.' " 

1  snail  DOW,  in  a  brief  manner,  throw  out  a  few  hints  for  the 


120  UADDS  VETERINARY  xMEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

consideration  of  dairymen  and  breeders,  in  view  of  tly?  adoption 
of  preventive  measures ;  for,  since  neither  "  medicine  nor  medical 
treatment "  can  arrest  the  plague,  our  only  hopes  of  stoppinsr  abor- 
tions, which  in  this  country  are  alarmingly  on  the  iucrea-e  lies  in 
the  practice  of  preventive  measures. 

A  very  objectionable,  and  I  may  add,  ruinous,  practice  prevaila 
at  some  milking  establishments,  of  keeping  the  cows  impregnated 
all  the  time.  The  mother  no  sooner  gets  through  the  pains  and 
perils  of  parturition  than  she  is  again,  ofttimes,  compelled  to  sub- 
mit to  a  re-impregnation.  This  is  what  I  call  an  excessive  use  of 
the  reproductive  organs,  which  must  eventually  impair  their  integ- 
rity. It  is  well  known  to  all  physiologists,  and  I  presume  that 
the  reader  must  have  some  knowledge  of  the  facts,  that  the  uterine 
organs,  like  those  of  digestion  and  respiration,  can  be  overtaxed  ; 
and  disease,  in  some  form  or  other,  is  very  apt  to  occur  in  over- 
worked organs.  If  actual  disease  does  not  set  in,  debility  of  func- 
tion or  organ  must  eventually  ensue.  The  uterus,  like  various 
other  organs  of  the  animal  economy,  must  have  periods  of  rest,  or 
the  day  of  reckoning  will  surely  arrive.  An  excessive  use  of  the 
reproductive  organs  generally,  if  not  always,  impairs  the  integrity 
of  the  nutritive  organs,  and  vice  versa  ;  hence,  if  a  cow  is  kept 
pregnant  all  the  time  for  the  unwise  purpose  of  making  her  yield 
a  constant  supply  of  milk,  it  should  not  appear  strange  if  she  fall 
off  in  the  quantity  of  milk,  appear  unthrifty,  be  off  her  feed,  and 
have  a  glairy  discharge  from  the  vagina.  These  are  the  symp- 
toms which  usually  precede  abortion. 

I  lately  visited  an  imported  cow,  the  property  of  a  gentleman 
in  Illinois,  who  informed  me  that  she  had  aborted  three  times  at 
about  the  seventh  month  of  her  pregnancy,  and  she  was  generally 
put  to  the  bull  shortly  after  the  mishap.  I  told  him  that  this  bad 
practice  was  the  sole  predisposing  cause  of  the  trouble ;  for  the 
short  space  of  time  which  occurred  between  the  premature  expul- 
sion of  the  foetus  and  re-impregnation  was  not  sufficient  for  the 
entire  recovery  of  tone  in  the  sexual  organs;  hence,  so  long  as 
this  practice  continued,  his  cow  would  never  go  her  full  time.  I 
strongly  urge  the  necessity  of  spaying  such  an  animal.  She  ought, 
at  least,  to  be  separated  from  the  breeding  cows,  and  her  foetal  calf, 
membranes,  and  placenta  should  be  burned  in  the  open  air,  for 
there  is  no  safety  in  burying  them  a  few  inches  under  the  earth'* 
surfiace. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  UDDER,  TEATS,  ETC.  121 

It  is  very  probable  that  many  cases  of  abortion  occur  tnrough  a 
deranged  condition  of  the  digestive  organs ;  therefore  the  means 
most  likely  to  prove  effectual  in  keeping  the  stomach  in  a  healthy 
state  should  be  adopted.  What  an  immense  amount  of  labor 
the  digestive  organs  have  to  perform !  They  have  to  be  almost 
constantly  engaged  in  converting  the  elements  of  good  and  bad 
f  ;od  into  chyme  and  chyle;  and  they  must  not  slacken  much,  else 
where  are  sixteen  quarts,  more  or  less,  per  day  of  milk  to  come 
from?  How  is  the  foetus  in  utero  to  be  nourished,  and  the  wear 
find  tear  of  the  cow's  organism  to  be  provided  for,  when  the 
stomach  is  not  in  working  order  ? 

The  practice  of  milking  cows  to  within  a  short  period  of  par- 
turition is  highly  injurious,  yet  some  persons  with  whom  I  have 
had  conversations  on  this  subject  contend  that,  in  some  cases,  it  is 
impossible  to  "  dry  the  cow."  I  advised  them  to  reduce  the  ani- 
mal's food  to  less  than  one-half,  or  even  one-fourth,  if  necessary ; 
in  fact,  there  would  be  no  harm  in  withholding  food  altogether  for 
a  short  time,  and  in  substituting  for  food  a  dose  or  two  of  aperient 
medicine.  This  course  must  necessarily  soon  lessen  the  amount 
of  blood  in  the  system,  and  as  the  milk  is  concocted  from  the  blood, 
it  will  decrease  in  the  same  ratio,  or,  rather,  be  essentially  lessened  ; 
and  in  view  of  reducing  the  quantity  of  milk,  I  also  urge  the 
necessity  of  keeping  the  cow  on  a  small  quantity  of  water.  This 
practice  may  not,  on  all  occasions  succeed  in  arresting  the  lacteal 
secretion,  still  it  is  the  only  rational  way  of  accomplishing  the 
object. 

Abortion  is  sometimes  attributed  to  a  debilitated  state  of  the 
animal.  This  also  arises  from  a  derangement  of  the  stomach. 
Then  an  opposite  mode  of  treatment  must  be  pursued,  such  as  a 
change  of  food  to  that  of  a  more  nutritious  character,  and  the  fre- 
quent administration  of  small  doses  of  ginger  and  golden  seal. 

Breeding  cows  require  a  great  deal  of  care  and  some  watching. 
Careful  selection  of  the  right  kind  of  food  for  the  necessary  want? 
of  the  animal  and  her  foetus  in  utero  is  indispensable.  Xeither 
the  one  nor  the  other  can  be  expected  to  enjoy  good  health  on  a 
diet  of  slops,  swill,  brewer's  grains,  corn-stalks,  rotten  potatoe^^ 
frozen  turnips,  damaged  meal,  musty  hay,  or  sour  apples,  etc. 
Care  is  also  requisite  in  providing  for  the  animal's  wants  in  re- 
gard to  "  watering,"  This  is  a  subject  of  great  importance,  yet 
very  few  husbandmen  give  it  that  attention  which  its  imporl;anc€ 


122  DADDS  VETKKLNAKY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGEHV 

denifinds.  The  horrible  stagnated  stuff  foimd  in  some  pastiirefe 
and  water-troughs,  which  the  thirsty  creatures  are  compelled,  from 
sheer  necessity,  to  imbibe,  is  surely  operative  in  producing  very 
manv  unnecessary  diseases,  derangements,  and  abortions. 

Some  watching  is  necessary.  A  cow  likely  to  abort  is  gener- 
ally "  off  her  feed,"  does  not  ruminate  according  to  her  accustomed 
activity ;  she  fails  to  yield  the  daily  quantum  of  milk ;  her  condi- 
tion is  noticed  to  be  unthrifty,  and,  on  inspecting  the  vagina,  it 
is  observed  to  be  the  seat  of  a  glairy  discharge.  Such  an  animal 
should  be  immediately  isolated  from  the  rest  of  the  herd,  and 
proceeded  with  as  above  directed.  It  is  said  that  a  very  common 
cause  of  abortion  is  sympathetic  influence. 

There  is  another  matter  of  some  importance  to  be.  considered  \x. 
view  of  prevention?  I  allude  to  breeding.  It  is  my  opinion 
that  thousands  of  the  abortions  which  occur  among  our  domes- 
ticated animals  of  this  country  are  for  the  benefit  of  the  several 
races  present  and  to  follow ;  for  if  the  offspring  of  cows  whose 
systems  have  been  debilitated  by  a  too  early  use  of  the  sexual 
organs,  and  those  of  other  parents,  laboring  under  organic  disease, 
malformation,  and  stunted  growth,  together  with  the  apology  of 
offspring  of  cows  doomed  to  drag  out  a  miserable  existence  in 
some  horrible  "  swill-milk  establishment,"  where  death  runs  riot, 
or  runs  into  the  milk-pail,  to  kill  off  unnursed  infants,  these  being 
permitted  to  come  into  the  world  with  their  inherited  imperfec- 
tions, and  being  suffered  to  grow  up  and  become  parents,  issuing 
a  Averse  edition  than  the  original  copy  in  turn — these  bad  speci- 
mens, not  of  Nature's  handiwork,  but  of  man's  ignorance  and 
folly,  or  willful  transgression  of  the  law  of  Nature,  being  permit- 
ted to  live,  they  would  be  so  many  libels  on  creative  power ;  and, 
in  order  to  remove  them  from  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  put  a 
check  on  the  monstrous  evil,  a  friendly  pestilence  must  eventually 
ensue.  This  would  be  a  mournful  event ;  for  many  valuable  ani- 
mals might,  by  infection  or  contagion,  be  involved  in  the  genera! 
ruin ;  therefore  Nature  adopts  the  lesser  evil,  and  applies  the  law 
of  destruction  prior  to  the  birth  of  monstrosity. 

Tlie  laws  of  reproduction  and  destruction  are  nicely  and  wisely 
balanced.  "  Thus  far  shalt  thou  go,  and  no  further."  The  off- 
spring of  weak,  emaciated,  ill-formed,  scrofulous,  consumptivCi 
and  otherwise  defective  animals,  should  never  be  used  for  bree<l- 
ing  purposes ;  in  fact,  they  are  not  even  fit  for  the  butcher. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  UDDER,  TEATS,  ETC.  123 

Finally,  I  would  advise  breeders  to  let  the  female  get  hei 
growth  ero  me  is  forced  into  copulation ;  for  prior  to  maturity 
all  the  energies  of  her  system  are  concentrated  upon  the  perfection 
and  integrity  of  her  organism,  and,  until  that  important  period 
arrives,  the  reproductive  system  can  not  be  exercised  without 
running  great  risk  of  violating  one  of  the  fundamental  laws  of 
Nature. 

T  have  now  directed  the  reader's  attention  to  most  of  the  causes 
likely  to  influence  or  induce  abortion,  and  I  leave  the  rest,  if  any 
theie  be,  to  be  discovered  by  their  own  experience.  It  is  impos- 
sible for  me  to  furnish  definite  instructions  as  regards  the  treat- 
ment of  individual  cases,  either  prior  or  subsequent  to  abortion,  as 
each  require  a  certain  course,  according  to  the  coniUtion  and  pre- 
vailing sym2)toms ;  yet,  if  I  have  succeeded  in  pointing  out  only 
a  tew  of  the  errors  which  prevail  in  our  present  faulty  system  of 
breeding  and  management,  and  have  been  practical  enough  to 
secure  the  reader's  attention  in  a  perusal  of  this  article,  I  have 
accomplished  more  than  I  expected  at  the  time  of  its  composition. 

Inflammatory  Affection  of  the  Hind  Limbs  after 
Calving. 

Some  cows,  after  calving,  suffer  from  an  inflammatory  affection 
of  the  hind  limbs,  which  renders  them  lame,  or  they  are  unable 
to  use  the  parts  with  that  promptitude  which  characterizes  the 
physiological  condition  or  state  of  health.  The  limbs  are  gener- 
ally hot,  and,  in  certain  localities,  are  swollen,  and  the  general 
health  of  the  animal  seems  to  be  impaired,  yet  there  is  no  great 
danger  attending  the  condition.  The  tumefaction  appears  to  con- 
sist of  a  local  effusion  (dropsy)  of  serum  into  the  cellular  tissue, 
which  readily  disappears  through  the  local  application  of  cold  watei, 
and  the  action  of  the  calf  on  the  teats. 

The  attention  of  veterinarians  has  been  directed  to  this  affec- 
tion by  Lecouturier,  in  the  following  paragraph,  translated  by 
Mr.  Gamqee  : 

''  A  few  days  after  parturition,  and  always  when  it  has  been 
normal,  a  difficulty  in  the  movements  of  the  hind-quarters  is  to 
be  observed.  The  hocks  become  sensitive ;  the  anterior  surface 
eswells  up ;  the  synovial  capsule  is  disturbed ;  great  pain  is  felt  at 
the  slightest  touch,  accompanied  with  heat.     Then  the  appetite 


l24 


DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 


is  lost;  the  secretion  of  milk  diminished;  pulse  quick  and  strong; 
and  a  certain  amount  of  fever  sets  in.  The  patient  can  not  lie 
down,  and  still  is  not  safe  on  its  legs.  The  writer  never  saw 
the  affection  but  on  recently-calved  cows;  never  after  the  ninth 
day,  and  almost  always  from  the  fourth  to  the  seventh.  This 
disease  affects  generally  the  good  mother,  and  is  of  a  most  be- 
nignant nature.  A  friction  of  turpentine  and  alcohol  is  sufficient 
to  restore  to  health  in  most  cases;  otherwise,  brandy  and  soap 
When  the  fever  is  strong,  a  dose  of  niter,  with  digitalis,  is  useful 
This  disturbance  is  always  of  a  benignant  nature,  and  is  coinci 
dent  with  parturition,  as  the  parturient  fever,  and  a  serous  diarrhea 
which  occurs  from  the  second  to  the  third  day  after  calving,  easily 
checked,  and  never  lasting  more  than  twenty-four  hours." 

Treatment. — My  treatment  is  as  follows:  Give  the  patient  a 
drachm,  three  times  per  day,  of  fluid  extract  of  gelseminum,  and 
bathe  the  limb  with  a  cold  infusion  of  hops,  just  so  long  as  in- 
flammation and  fever  exist.     Then  prepare  the  following : 

Fluid  extract  of  buchu 8  oz. 

Chlorate  of  potass 2  oz. 

Water 1  pint. 

Mix. 

Dose,  a  wine-glassful  night  and  morning.  Rub  the  limbs  with 
s  portion  of  the  following: 


Fluid  extract  of  wormwood. 
Proof  spirit 


oz. 

It. 


SECTIOX    VII. 

DISEASES   OF    THE    URINARY    ORGANS. 

Description  of  the  Urinaet  System — The  Ureters — The  Bladder — ^Thk 
Urethra — Hematuria — Inflammation  of  the  Kidneys — Urinary  Cal- 
cuw — Calculi  in  the  Bladder — Black  Water — Red  Water. 

Description  of  the  Urinary  System. 

fT^HE  primary  ^organs  of  the  urinary  system  are  the  kidneys^ 
JL  two  ovoid  conglomerate  bodies,  of  a  purple  color,  located  in 
the  lumbar  region,  or  loins,  separated  from  each  other  by  the  in- 
ferior part  of  the  spinal  column.  They  are  generally  imbedded 
in  adipose  tissue  denominated  suet.  The  kidneys  are  the  great 
emunctories  of  the  body,  are  constantly  engaged  in  secreting  waste 
and  morbid  fluids  from  the  blood,  and  we  find  them  much  larger 
in  cattle  than  in  horses.  When  the  function  of  any  other  excre- 
tory organ  is  impaired,  an  extra  amount  of  work  is  in  store  for 
them  to  perform.  In  health  their  function  never  ceases — a  con- 
stant secretion  of  urine  is  going  on  all  the  time.  Whether  the 
animal  be  awake  or  asleep  it  matters  not,  there  is  no  rest  for  the 
kidneys.  On  cutting  through  the  kidneys,  it  is  found  to  be  com- 
posed of  two  substances,  termed  cortical  and  medullary. 

The  kidneys  are  supplied  with  blood  by  the  emulgent  arteries. 
They  are  of  large  caliber,  and  furnish  a  large  quantity  of  blood 
from  which  the  urine  is  secreted.  Within  the  center  of  each  kid- 
ney is  a  receptacle  known  as  the  pelvis,  which  terminates  in  a 
funnel-shaped  outlet,  the  commencement  of  the  ureter.  The 
emulgent  arteries,  which  supply  the  kidne}'3  with  arterial  blood, 
are  derived  from  the  posterior  aorta.  They  subdivide  and  ramify 
into  the  substance  of  the  gland,  and  end  in  a  very  complex  net- 
work. TY^  emulgent  veins  are  much  larger  than  the  arteries. 
They  accompany  the  latter,  and,  finally,  converge  into  one  trunks 

(125^ 


12€  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

and  terminate  in  the  posterior  vena  cava.     The  nerves  of  tht 
kidneys  are  derived  from  the  renal  plexus. 


The  Ureters. 

Each  kidney  is  connected  with  the  bladder  by  a  common  duet 
or  tube,  known  as  the  ureter.  These  ducts  are  much  strcnge? 
and  larger  than  those  found  in  the  horse.  They  are  composed  of 
two  tunics.  The  external  one  is  both  fibrous  and  muscular  in  a 
longitudinal  direction,  which  permits  it  to  contract  and  extend  in 
exact  ratio  as  the  bladder  contracts  when  empty,  and  expands 
when  filled.  The  internal  membrane  is  of  mucous  texture,  and 
is  constantly  lubricated  with  a  mucous  secretion,  which  defends  it 
against  the  irritating  qualities  of  the  urine. 

The  Bladder.  ^ 

The  bladder  of  an  ox  is  much  larger  than  that  of  the  horse.  It 
is  a  musculo-membranous  sac,  or  bag,  and  is  located  within  the 
pelvis,  bounded  above  by  the  rectum,  and  below  by  the  internal 
surface  of  the  pubic  bones.  In  the  cow  we  find  the  bladder 
located  between  the  rectum  and  the  uterine  organs.  The  bladder 
has  a  transverse  ligament  inserted  into  the  lateral  parts  of  the 
pelvis.  It  has  three  coats.  One  is  derived  from  the  peritoneum, 
or  lining  membrane  of  the  abdominal  cavity,  which  gives  the 
bladder  an  external  covering.  The  middle  coat  of  the  bladder  is 
composed  of  muscular  fibers,  which  run  in  longitudinal  and  cir  - 
cular  directions.  The  internal  membrane,  or  coat,  is  more  highly 
organized  than  the  others.  It  is  furnished  with  excretory  out- 
lets, from  which  issues  a  mucous  secretion  for  its  own  protection. 

The  bladder  is  divided  into  fundus,  body,  and  cervix.  The 
fundus  is  that  prominent  part  which  faces  anteriorly,  or  toward 
the  intestines,  and  when  the  bladder  is  full  of  urine,  it  protrudes 
into  the  abdominal  cavity.  The  body  is  the  bulky  or  capacious 
part,  generally  more  rounded,  when  full,  than  in  the  horse's 
bladder.  The  cervix  is  the  neck,  or  contracted  part  of  the  blad- 
der. It  is  surrounded  by  muscular  fibers  that  involuntarily  con- 
tract, so  as  to  close  the  passage,  except  in  the  act  of  urinating. 
Some  anatomists  consider  this  muscle  as  a  distinct  one  in  the 
horse,  tnd  have  given  to  it  the  name  of  sphincter ;  but  in  oxen  it 


DISEASES  OF  THE  URINARY  ORGANS.  127 

does  not  seem  to  be  a  distinct  muscle,  neither  does  it  contract  with 
that  fbrce  or  persistency  which  is  known  to  occur  in  the  case  of  a 
horse. 

Thf  Urethra. 

The  urethra  i  rises  from  the  ne^k  of  the  bladder,  and  extends 
liom  it  to  the  end  of  the  penis.  It  is  much  smaller  in  caliber 
than  in  the  horse.  It  affords  a  passage  for  the  urine  and  seminal 
fluid.  Interiorly  it  is  composed  of  mucous  membrane,  which  is  a 
prolongation  of  that  found  within  the  bladder. 


HEMATURIA. 

Hsematuria  signifies  voiding  of  blood  with  the  urine.  In 
cattle-raising  districts,  this  disease,  or  rather  the  symptoms  of 
one,  is  generally  known  by  the  term  "  red  water,"  although  a  very 
marked  difference  exists  between  hsematuria  and  mere  discolor- 
ation or  reddened  appearance  of  the  urine ;  for  in  the  former  case 
blood  globules  are  invariably  present,  and  their  presence  can  be 
determined  by  procuring  a  sample  of  the  urine.  After  letting  it 
stand  for  a  short  time,  the  blood  coagulse  may  be  detected  by  the 
naked  eye,  at  the  bottom  of  the  vessel  in  which  the  urine  is 
<  aught. 

Causes — Its  Character  and  Symptoms. — The  voiding  of  blood 
Ni'ith  the  urine  is  generally  supposed  to  be  occasioned  by  some  vio- 
h>nce,  such  as  local  injury  in  the  lumbar  region,  calculi  within  the 
areters  or  the  bladder ;  from  local  hemorrhage,  occasioned  by  con- 
gestion, or  inflammation  of  some  portion  of  the  urinary  organs. 
Congestion  is  apt  to  occur  in  overfed  animals,  and,  perhaps,  is 
an  effort  of  Nature  to  phlebotomize  the  subject  and  reduce  the 
amount  of  circulating  fluid,  and  thus  lessen  the  liability  to  accu- 
mulate adipose  tissue.  If  such  be  the  case  (the  patient  being  in 
a  state  of  plethora),  no  immediate  danger  is  to  be  apprehended. 
Especially  is  this  the  case  when  the  hemorrhage  is  merely  passive, 
unaccompanied  by  symptoms  of  pain  either  at  the  time  or  between 
the  periods  of  urinating.  A  case  of  this  character  might  very 
properly  be  termed  congestive  hsematuria,  and  may  be  treated  on 
the  same  principles  which  prevail  in  the  practice  of  intelligent 
physicians  in  the  management  of  other  local  congestions.  Ne- 
phritis (inflammation  o^  the  kidneys)   may  occasion  hsematuria, 


128  DADDS  \trERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

and  is  almost  always  accompanied  by  sure  and  unmistakable 
symptoms;  namely,  those  of  pain  and  irritation,  either  in  the  act 
or  else  before  or  after  urinating.  It  may  be  difficult  to  deter- 
mine what  is  the  exciting  cause  of  this  inflammatory  condition. 
It  may  be  purely  idiopathic,  or  may  arise  from  the  irritation 
consequent  on  the  passage  of  urinary  calculi  through  the  parts 
involved;  and,  notwithstanding  there  are  certain  diagnostic  symp- 
toms attending  both  varieties,  still  the  medical  attendant  (who 
has  just  seen  the  case  for  the  first  time,)  may  find  it  hazardous  to 
venture  an  opinion  on  its  exact  pathology ;  yet  he  shall  not  be  at 
fault  in  treating  the  case  as  a  local  inflammatory  affection.  If  it 
can  be  shown  that  the  animal  has  been  dosed  with  strong  diuret- 
ics, and  no  hemorrhage  had  existed  prior  to  their  administration, 
but  is  now  quite  profuse,  we  may  safely  conclude  that  the  hemor- 
rhage is  occasioned  by  the  local  stimulus.  It  may,  therefore,  be 
laid  down,  as  a  general  rule,  that  all  cases  of  hsematuria,  attended 
with  symptoms  of  pain,  are  occasioned  by  the  irritation  of  some 
foreign  body  acting  on  some  part  of  the  secretory  surface  of  the 
urinary  apparatus,  or  else  is  the  result  of  some  external  violence ; 
and  it  is  the  business  of  the  person  who  prescribes  to  carefully 
consider  these  matters,  in  view  of  forming  a  correct  diagnosis. 

Hematuria  does  occasionally  occur  in  nursing  women  of  a  pleth- 
oric diathesis.  At  the  period  of  weaning  the  infant,  the  woman 
notices,  on  urinating,  that  the  fluid  is  tinged  with  blood;  but,  as 
the  act  is  unaccompanied  by  pain,  and  nothing  of  the  kind  being 
felt  in  the  region  of  the  kidneys,  she  feels  no  alarm  about  it,  and 
scarcely  if  ever  consults  a  medical  man  on  the  subject.  In  the 
course  of  a  few  days,  all  things  being  favorable,  the  urine  assumes 
its  natural  appearance ;  therefore,  if  hfematuria  shall  appear  in  a 
cow  at  the  period  of  "  drying  her  up,"  as  the  saying  is,  or  if  a  cow 
shall  be  observed  to  pass  blood  in  the  urine  at  the  time  of  wean- 
ing the  calf,  and  neither  one  nor  the  other  manifest  any  discern^ 
ible  symptoms  of  pain,  nor  any  perceivable  manifestations  of 
derangement  in  the  vital  functions,  there  will  be  no  necessity  to 
resort  to  any  very  active  mode  of  medication,  and  an  intelligent 
physician  would  merely  recommend  a  mild  laxative,  light  diet, 
and  a  little  nursing.  A  few  doses  of  liquor  acetate  ammonia 
might  be  indicated  as  a  Jebrifuge.  This  may  be  given  from  a 
Ov)ttle. 

Treatmeni. — Should  the  owner  of  the  animal  )i  unable  to  obtaiu 


DISEASES  OF  THE  URINARY  ORGANS.  130 

the  sen-ices  of  a  professional  man,  let  him  prepare  some  flax- 
seed tea  (a  quart) ;  then  add  half  an  ounce  of  powdered  blouJ- 
root ;  after  which  let  the  animal  have  six  drachms  of  tincture  ol 
maticO}  diluted  in  a  small  quantity  of  water,  night  and  morning. 
Should  the  disease  be  traced  to  the  presence  of  urinary  calculi,  a 
lithontriptic  will  be  indicated,  which  is  prepared  as  follows : 

Muriate  acid 1  oz. 

Water 1  pt. 

Fluid  extract  of  hops 1  oz. 

Dose,  half  the  above  quantity,  night  and  morning. 

Inflammation  of  the  Kidneys. 

Symptoms. — Cattle  affected  with  inflammation  of  the  kidpeys 
will  be  observed  to  have  some  slight  roaching  of  the  back;  that 
is  to  say,  instead  of  the  back  or  spinal  column  being  straight  oi 
slightly  concave,  as  it  ought  to  be,  it  now  presents  a  convexity, 
or,  in  other  words,  is  arched  in  an  upward  or  superior  direction. 
The  arching  of  the  back  is  occaf  ioned  by  tonic  spasms  of  the  psoas 
and  iliac  muscles,  located  above  the  kidneys  in  the  lumbar  region. 
These  muscles  are  known  to  butchers  as  "tenderloin."  On 
making  pressure  over  the  region  of  the  kidneys,  the  animal  will 
be  observed  to  flinch,  the  parts  appearing  very  tender  and  hot. 
The  animal  is  generally  dull ;  the  muzzle,  dry  ;  a  chilliness  of  the 
horns  and  external  surface  is  observed,  showing  very  clearly  that 
there  is  an  unequal  circulation  of  the  blood.  There  is,  generally, 
some  difficulty  in  passing  the  urine ;  the  animal  strains  in  the  act 
of  passing  it,  and  it  is  redder  than  usual.  The  symptoms  vary  as 
the  disease  progresses,  but  the  above  are  the  principal  ones  on 
which  the  diagnosis  must  be  founded. 

Treatment. — Drench  the  animal  with  twelve  ounces  of  Glauber 
salts,  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  warm  water ;  then  apply  warm- water 
bandages  to  the  region  of  the  loins,  which  may  be  retained  in  their 
place  by  encircling  the  b(  idy  with  a  bandage.  Ad  emollient  clys- 
ter of  slippery  elm  should  occasionally  be  thrown  into  the  rectum, 
and  the  patient  should  be  drenched  with  four  ounces  of  the  liquor 
acetate  of  ammonia  every  six  hours,  until  an  improvement  takes 
place.  Then  give  tincture  of  matico,  in  half-ounce  doses,  night 
and  morning,  until  the  patient  is  better. 
9 


13C  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  ANb  PURGERTf. 


Urinary  Calculi. 

Cattle  are  occasionally  the  subjects  of  urinary  calculi,  yet  thert 
are  not  many  cases  of  the  kind  on  record ;  and,  during  a  practice 
of  twenty-five  years,  the  author  has  never  been  called  upon  to 
prescribe  for  nor  treat  a  case  of  this  character.  This  testimony 
is  diametrically  opposed  to  that  of  Youatt  and  otheis.  Youatt 
contends  that  "  concretions  are  oftener  found  in  the  urinary  pas- 
sages of  cattle  than  of  the  horse."  This  is  not  in  accordance  with 
the  experience  of  American  husbandmen.  In  England,  however, 
cattle  may  inherit  some  peculiarity  of  constitution  which  causes  a 
tendency  to  the  formation  of  concretion  ;  or  perhaps  the  water  they 
drink  may  be  impregnated  with  alkalies,  so  as  to  induce  tn  alka- 
line diathesis.  Urinary  calculi  are  generally  composed  of  carbo- 
nate and  phosphate  of  lime,  carbonate  of  magnesia,  and  some 
animal  matter. 

Treatment. — Should  calculi  be  present  in  either  the  kindeys  or 
ureters  they  are  sure  to  occasion  some  degree  of  pain.  The  urine 
will  be  reddened,  and  sometimes  blood  corpuscles  can  be  detected 
in  the  same.  After  awhile  some  muco-purulent  fluid  will  be  dis- 
charged with  the  urine.  In  this  stage,  it  might  be  advisable  to 
give  the  animal  one  ounce  of  acetic  acid,  in  sixteen  ounces  of 
water,  per  day,  to  be  continued  a  week  or  so.  Should  the  general 
health  be  impaired,  let  the  animal  have  a  few  doses  of  the  follow- 
ing; 

Fluid  extract  of  hops 2  oz. 

Hyposulphite  of  soda ^  oz. 

Water 1  pint. 

Mix. 


Calculi  in  the  Bladder. 

A  stone  once  having  formed  in  the  bladder  will  defy  all  our 
attempts  to  dissolve  or  decompose  it ;  yet  if  any  one  wishes  to  try 
the  experiment,  they  can  resort  to  the  use  of  muriatic  acid,  suffi- 
ciently diluted  with  water  to  render  it  harmless  to  the  animal  tis- 
sues with  which  it  may  come  in  contact.  Tlie  stone  can,  however, 
be  removed  by  the  operation  of  lithotomy,  which  will  require  the 
sers'ices  of  a  skillful  surgeon.  In  such  a  case  the  owner  may  pos- 
sibly decide  upon  slaughtering  the  animal.  Perhaps  thi?  Is  the 
best  thing  he  can  do. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  URINARY  OROANS.  131 

Symptoms. — There  are  various  symptoms  of  deranged  health 
which  often  attend  stone  in  the  bladder;  yet,  as  they  frequently 
accompany  other  diseases,  and  throw  no  special  light  on  this,  I 
shall  take  no  notice  of  them,  but  offer  something  brief,  yet  more 
reliable.  The  presence  of  a  stone  in  the  bladder  will  generally 
occasion  some  interruption  to  that  free  and  uniform  flow  of  urine 
which  take?  place  in  a  healthy  animal  without  any  symptoms  of 
ntone  in  the  bladder ;  consequently  if,  in  the  act  of  urination,  the 
How  of  fluid  is  suddenly  stopped,  to  commence  again  a  few  mo- 
ments afterward,  at  the  same  moment  a  slight  trembling  of  the 
hind  limbs  is  observed,  and  the  animal  strains  ineifectually  to 
urinate,  only  passing  a  few  drops,  and  this  state  of  things  has  ex- 
isted for  some  time,  it  may  be  inferred  that  a  stone  is  present  in 
the  bladder,  and  if  so,  the  animal  had  better  be  slaughtered. 

Black  Water. 

A  discharge  from  the  urethral  outlet  of  fluid  quite  black  in 
color  very  frequently  indicates  a  grave  form  of  disease  existing  in 
the  liver.  Should  black-colored  matter  be  detected  in  the  urine, 
the  probabilities  are  that  the  animal  will  die ;  for  the  disease  which 
gives  rise  to  the  abnormal  discharge  is  probably  organic. 

Symptoms. — In  some  cases  black  water  is  occasioned  by  engorge- 
ment of  the  liver,  spleen,  or  kidneys,  and  when  an  animal  dies  of 
these  engorgements,  we  find  the  capillary  veins  much  distended ; 
and  these  engorgements  frequently  occur,  also,  in  many  of  the  dis- 
eases of  an  epizootic  or  malignant  character.  Such  condition  or 
congestion  is  owing  to  a  loss  of  equilibrium  in  the  circulation. 
The  arteries  are  very  impressible  to  excitation,  and  hold  out  their 
physiological  actions  the  longest.  The  veins  being  more  distensi- 
ble than  arteries,  the  blood  is  forced  into  the  venous  radicles  faster 
than  they  can  absorb  it ;  hence  the  free  egress  of  blood  is  retarded 
The  result  is  an  accumulation  of  blood,  distending  the  organs  or 
veins,  producing  engorgements  and  a  darkened  color  cf  the  blood 
and  tissues.  The  blood  assumes  a  darkened  color  partly  from  de- 
lay and  partly  from  deficient  pulmonary  absorption  and  aeration. 

The  causes  of  these  local  congestions  are  not  always  to  be  deter- 
mined, yet  they  almost  always  receive  their  chief  force  from  a 
morbid  habit  pervading  the  general  system ;  at  least  this  is  the 
case  wher  no  local  disease  exists  to  account  for  them. 


132  DADDS  VETERINARY  iMEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

Treatment — The  principal  object  in  the  treatment  of  black 
water  is  to  equalize  the  circulation  and  decarbonize  the  blood. 
Diffusible  stimulants  and  nauseants  fiilfill  the  first  indication,  and 
ammonia  the  latter ;  therefore  I  use  the  following : 

Fluid  extract  of  ginger 1  oz. 

Chlorate  of  potass 1  oz. 

Spirits  of  ammonia 2  dr. 

Water 1  pint. 

Give  the  above  quantity  once  daily. 


Red  Water. 

The  changes  which  occur  in  the  color  of  the  urine  are  the  results 
of  various  causes.  In  a  preceding  article  the  reader  is  informed 
that  heematuria  (voiding  of  blood  with  urine)  is  traceable  to  cer- 
tain direct  causes,  hence  the  difficulty  is  of  an  acute  charactei-. 
Now,  suppose  we  take  a  well  animal  as  a  subject  for  experiment. 
We  administer  repeated  doses  of  sweet  spirits  of  niter  or  tincture 
of  juniper.  The  first  thing  we  notice  is,  the  urine  is  augmented, 
or  rather  more  profuse  than  usual,  and  of  a  pale  color.  Continue 
the  medicaments  over  a  given  period,  and  the  urine  assumes  a 
darker  color — first,  yellow ;  next,  brown,  or  coffee  color,  purple,  or 
even  black.  This  shows  conclusively  that  the  color  of  the  urine 
can  be  altered  by  the  use  of  medicinal  agents ;  therefore,  if  a  red- 
dened appearance  of  the  urine  follow  the  exhibition  of  strong 
diuretics,  the  cause  is  plain  enough,  and  the  cure  is  effected  by  dis- 
continuing the  diuretic  medicine,  and  in  restoring  the  equilibrium 
of  action  which  should  exist  among  the  various  excretory  organs. 
Various  kinds  of  food  are  also  operative  in  producing  changes  in 
the  color  and  quantity  of  the  urinary  secretion.  Beets  and  car- 
rots, when  fed  in  quantity  for  a  sufficient  length  of  time,  alter 
essentially  the  color  of  the  fluids  of  the  body,  urine  included.  As 
regards  quantity,  musty  oats  and  an  excess  of  stimulating  food 
are  notorious  causes  in  explanation  of  augmented  and  discolcied 
urinary  secretion. 

Discoloration  of  the  urine,  which  some  of  our  Western  farmers 
term  "  red  water,"  is  usually  occasioned  by  derangement  of  the 
liv^r  and  other  parts  of  the  digestive  apparatus.  The  urine,  how- 
ever, IS  more  likely  to  have  a  tinge  of  brown  or  yellow  than  red» 
and,  therefore,  se-eral  writers  Mr.  Youatt  included,  have  termed 


DISEASES  OF  THE  URINARY  ORGANS.  133 

fiuoh  cases  "chronic  red  water;"  and  they  ali  agree  that  such  an 
affection  is  not  primarily  one  of  the  kidneys,  but  of  the  liver,  and 
I  presume  that  the  "  red-water "  which  prevails  among  cattle  in 
the  West  owes  its  origin  to  the  same  causes  as  above.  For  exam- 
])le :  A  friend  informs  me  that  he  lost  a  valuable  cow,  "  which  died 
of  red  water,"  and  that  the  urine  was  of  a  "  yellow-brown  color," 
indicating,  very  clearly,  that  the  animal  labored  under  an  affection 
nf  the  iiver;  and,  in  view  of  dispelling  all  doubt  on  the  subject, 
I  here  introduce  a  short  paragraph  from  my  correspondent's  letter : 

"  On  skinning  the  animal,  I  found  that  the  parts  beneath  (sub- 
cellular tissues)  had  a  yellow  appearance.  On  cutting  open  the 
abdomen,  I  noticed  that  the  liver  was  of  a  very  dark  color,  and 
appeared  to  be  filled  with  black  blood.  The  gall-bladder  was  very 
large,  and  appeared  darker  than  usual ;  the  manyplies  (manyplus) 
^\•as  full  of  caked  food,  and  there  were  no  appearances  of  disease 
in  any  other  parts." 

Of  course,  it  will  be  perceived  that  my  correspondent  was  far 
from  being  an  adept  in  the  art  of  autopsy ;  however,  the  appear- 
ances which  he  has  described  lead  us  to  the  necessary  conclusion 
that  the  so-called  red  water  (which  he  contends  caused  the  death 
of  his  cow)  was  the  result  of  functional,  perhaps  organic,  disease 
of  the  liver. 

Mr.  YouATT,  when  discussing  the  theory  of  the  pathology  of 
<:hronic  red  water,  offers  the  following  : 

"  Chronic  red  water  is  more  prevalent  than  that  which  is  acute, 
Jiud  in  its  first  stage  is  far  more  a  disease  of  the  digestive  organs, 
and  especially  of  the  liver  than  of  the  kidney.  The  urine  is  ob- 
werved  to  be  of  a  brown  color,  or  brown  tinged  with  yellow,  The 
beast  feeds  nearly  as  well  as  before,  but  ruminates  rather  more  lazily. 
In  a  few  days  a  natural  diarrhea  comes  on,  and  the  animal  is  well  at 
once ;  or  a  purgative  drench  is  administered,  and  a  cure  is  presently 
affected.  This  occurs  frequently  in  cows  and  calves  of  weak  con- 
etitution.  At  other  times  there  is  manifest  indisposition.  The  ani- 
mal is  dull,  heavy,  languid ;  the  ears  droop,  the  back  is  bowed ;  she 
separates  from  the  herd ;  she  refuses  her  food,  and  ceases  to  rumi- 
nate. Presently  she  gets  better;  she  rejoins  her  companions,  but 
this  is  only  for  a  little  while.  The  urine,  which  at  first  was  brown, 
with  a  tinge  of  yellow,  has  now  red  mingled  with  brown,  or  it  is 
of  the  color  of  porter.  It  is  increased  in  quantity ;  is  discharged 
sometimes  with  ease,  at  other  times  with  considerable  straining — 


134  DADDS  VETERINAKi'  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

in  little  jets,  and  with  additional  bowing  of  the  back.  The  milk 
diminishes;  it  acquires  a  slight  tinge  of  yellow  or  brown;  the 
taste  becomes  unpleasant,  and  it  spoils  all  that  it  is  mingled  witn. 
The  pulse  is  accelerated ;  it  reaches  to  60  or  70.  If  the  blood  if 
drawn,  the  serum  which  separates  from  it  is  brown.  The  skin  is 
yellow,  but  of  a  darker  yellow  than  in  jaundice ;  it  has  a  tinge  of 
brown.  The  conjunctiva  is  also  yellow,  inclining  to  brown.  The 
urine  becomes  of  a  darker  hue,  and  is  almost  black.  The  animal 
usually  shrinks  when  the  loins  are  pressed  upon.  Occasionally 
there  is  much  tenderness,  but  oftener  the  beast  scarcely  shrinks 
more  than  he  is  accustomed  to  do  when  laboring  under  almost 
every  disease.  The  belly  is  not  so  much  tucked  up  as  drawn  to- 
gether at  the  sides  There  is  considerable  loss  of  condition ;  the 
legs  an«l  ears  get  cold ;  the  animal  is  less  inclined  to  move ;  there 
is  evident  general  debility.  In  every  stage  there  is  costivenes.^', 
and  that  exceedingly  difficult  to  overcome,  but,  on  close  inquirj^, 
it  is  ascertained  that  there  was  diarrhea  at  the  beginning,  and 
which  was  violent  and  fetid,  and  which  suddenly  stopped." 

Testimony  of  this  description,  emanating  from  reliable  authorit)', 
is  entitled  to  our  consideration ;  and  it  should  teach  us  to  seek  for 
the  cause  of  discolored  urine  beyond  the  region  of  the  kidneys, 
except  in  those  cases  which  are  evidently  the  results  of  the  action 
of  diuretics  or  stimulants  in  the  form  of  improper  food.  It  will 
generally  be  found  that  discolorations  in  the  urine  are  the  symp- 
toms of  a  disease  located  elsewhere;  hence  the  disease  should  be 
treated  instead  of  the  symptoms. 

Treatment. — If  the  disease  appears  to  be  located  in  the  liver, 
indicated  by  a  yellow  tinge  of  the  visible  surfaces,  dark-colored 
feces,  and  yellow  tinge  of  the  urine,  the  animal  being  dull  and 
sleepy,  showing  symptoms  of  febrile  action,  it  may  be  proper  to 
administer  a  dose  of  purgative  medicine,  combined  with  some 
agent  calculated  to  restore  the  physiological  action  of  the  liver,  and 
I  th€refore  recommend  the  following : 

Epsom  salts. 12  oz. 

Podophyllum  peltatum  (mandrake)...      2  dr. 

Dissolve  th(!  salts  in  tepid  water,  one  pint ;  then  add  the  podo- 
pnyllum,  and  administer  the  same  by  means  of  a  "  drenching- 
horn,"  or  bottle. 

In  administering  medicine  to  cattle,  our  object  is  to  get  it  beyond 


DISEASES  OF  THE  URINARY  ORGj*N'S.  135 

the  rume.  x  paunch  into  the  digestive  compartment  of  their  com- 
plex stomach,  and,  in  aiming  to  do  this,  we  pour  the  medicine 
down  the  oesophagus  slowly.  After  the  bowels  have  responded  to 
the  action  of  the  medicine,  it  may  be  proper  to  administer  altera- 
tives which  are  known  to  change  morbid  action.  Powdered  sul- 
phur acd  mandrake  may  be  given,  in  small  doses — not  sufficient 
f  f  either  to  keep  up  the  cathartic  action  of  the  salts,  but  merely 
to  keep  the  Ijowels  in  a  soluble  condition  for  a  day  or  two;  and  if 
there  be  any  danger  of  superpurgation,  neither  mandrake  nor  sul- 
phur are  indicated.  In  such  case  I  should  give  an  occasional  dose 
of  powdered  golden  seal,  two  drachms,  and  the  same  quantity  of 
carbonate  of  soda.  The  patient  should  be  fed  sparingly ;  and  if 
the  8ea<Jon  permit,  a  run  in  the  pasture  will  prove  benefi'^'al 


SECTION   VIII. 

THE   HEART  — ITS    FUNCTION   AND    DISEASES. 

DascEiPTiON  OF  THE  Heart — The  Heart's  Function — Diseases  of  the  Hbaet-  - 
Dilatation  of  the  Heart — Pericarditis — Hypertrophy — Endocarditw. 

Description  of  the  Heart. 

THE  heart  is  a  wonderful  and  powerful  piece  of  musculai 
mechanism.  Its  function  is  of  the  involuntary  order,  so 
that  regular  contractions  and  expansions,  or  beatings,  occur  in  the 
normal  state,  without  the  knowledge  and  consent  of  the  animal. 
These  contractions  and  expansions,  however,  can  be  modified  by 
means  of  various  medicinal  agents  which  act  upon  the  nervous 
system,  thus  producing  a  sort  of  mixed  action  (voluntary  and  in- 
voluntary). For  example,  all  medicines  known  as  sedatives  op- 
erate so  as  to  depress  the  heart's  action,  and  lessen,  for  a  given 
period,  the  number  of  its  pulsations ;  while,  on  the  other  hand, 
stimulants  augment  the  action  of  the  heart,  and  increase  the  num- 
ber of  its  pulsations.  The  average  weight  of  the  heart  of  an  ox 
is  eight  pounds,  yet  it  is  frequently  the  seat  of  fatty  degeneration, 
when  its  weight  and  bulk  is  then  materially  increased. 

The  heart  is  anatomically  divided  into  four  cavities,  two  of 
which  being  in  a  superior  and  anterior  direction,  and,  in  conse- 
quence of  bearing  some  resemblance  to  the  ears  of  a  dog,  are 
termed  auricles.  These  cavities,  known  as  right  and  left  (or 
rather  anterior  and  posterior),  are  divided  by  a  wall,  or  septum, 
known  as  the  septum  auriculorum.  The  right  auricle  is  the  re- 
ceptacle for  venous  blood,  and  three  venous  trunks  terminate  in 
it;  namely,  the  anterior  vena  cava,  which  returns  the  venous 
blood  from  the  anterior  extremities,  head  and  neck;  next,  the 
vena  cava  posterior,  which  returns  the  venous  blood  from  the 
posterior  parts ;  and,  lastly,  the  coronary  vein.  The  latter  returns 
(136) 


THE  HEART— ITS  FUNCTION  AND  DISEASES. 


137 


blood  which  has  circulated  through  the  heart  itself  for  its  own 
nourishment.  A  considerable  quantity  of  dark,  venous  blood  is 
generally  found  in  this  auricle  after  death,  and  it  opens  into  tha 
right  or  anterior  ventricle  by  an  aperture  denominated  the  au- 
riculo- ventricular  opening ;  yet,  in  consequence  of  a  valvular  con- 
trivance within  the  ventricle,  the  blood  can  not  recede  into  the 
auricle. 


THE  heart;  its  circulation. 

fcxPLAKATioN.— a,  The  left  ventricle ;  b,  The  right  ventricle ;  cef.  The  aorta;  ^^i,  The  ca- 
rotid and  other  arteries  springing  from  the  aorta ;  k,  The  pulmonary  artery ;  I,  Branches 
of  the  pulmonary  artery  in  the  lungs  ;  m  m,  The  pulmonary  veins  emptying  into  the  left 
auricle ;  n,  The  right  auricle  ;  o,  The  ascending  vena  cava ;  q,  The  descending  vena 
cava  ;  r,  The  left  auricle  ;  s,  The  coronary  vein  and  artery. 


Internally,  the  right  auricle  is  lined  by  a  glistening  vascular 
membrane,  having,  on  various  parts  of  its  surface,  small  muscular 
eminences,  termed  musculi  pectinati.  The  small  cavities  which 
occur,  in  consequence  of  this  arrangement,  are  termed  cul-de-sacs. 
The  right  or  venous  ventricle  is  also  lined  by  a  nicely-organized 
membrane,  and  has  beneath  it  several  muscular  prominences, 
named  carnce  columnce,  which  give  origin  to  as  many  tendinous 


13}!  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

slips.  These  are  known  as  cordve  tendince.  They  are  inserted 
into  a  fibrous  membrane  in  the  region  of  the  auriculo-ventricular 
opening,  and  then  get  the  name  (membrane  included)  valvula 
tricuspis.  The  lateral  contractions  of  this  ventricle  are  aided  by 
small  tendinous  cords,  having  muscular  origins  from  the  wall  and 
septum.  The  venous  blood  passes  from  this  cavity  into  the  pul- 
monary tissues  of  oxygenation,  through  the  pulmonary  artery, 
which  emerges  from  the  superior  part  of  the  ventricle.  At  the 
commencement  of  the  pulmonary  artery  are  found  three  valves 
termed  semilunar.  Their  function  is  to  guard  against  a  retrograde 
movement  of  the  blood,  so  that  it  has  no  other  channel  than  that 
which  leads  to  the  lungs. 

The  left  ventricle  has  scarcely  any  anatomical  or  structural  dif- 
ferences from  those  observed  in  the  right,  although  its  cavity  is 
smaller,  and  its  walls  are  somewhat  thicker,  than  those  found  on 
the  right.  It  receives  the  blood  from  the  lungs  after  purification, 
by  means  of  the  pulmonary  veins,  which  have  four  openings  into 
this  cavity — two  proceeding  from  the  right  and  two  from  the  left 
lobes.  The  left  or  arterial  ventricle  is  the  reservoir  for  arterial 
blood,  which  is  destined  to  reanimate,  replenish,  and  perpetuate 
the  vital  economy.  Having  a  vastly  more  important  function  to 
perfornt  (which  requires  augmented  muscular  mechanism)  than  its 
duplicate  found  on  the  right  side,  the  thickness  of  its  walls  must, 
therefore,  necessarily  exceed  those  of  the  right.  This  is  found  to 
be  the  case,  so  that  the  outer  wall  of  this  is  about  three  times  as 
thick  as  that  found  on  the  other  side ;  and  this  guide  is  useful  to 
u»  in  determining  at  sight,  after  the  heart  is  detached  from  the 
body,  which  is  the  left  ventricle,  and  vice  versi?. 

The  channel  of  communication  between  the  left  auricle  and 
ventricle  is  named,  as  is  the  case  on  the  opposite  side,  auricido- 
ventricular  opening.  It  is  furnished,  however,  with  only  two 
instead  of  three  valvular  openings,  termed  valvula  bicuspis,  or 
mitralis.  This  ventricle  is  one  of  importance  for  our  c(m.>5idera- 
tion,  from  the  fact  of  the  great  aorta  (the  plastic  hose,  which 
seldom  if  ever  requires  cobbling  or  repair)  here  originates.  Its 
marg'n,  or  outlet,  is  guarded  by  a  complete  set  of  valves,  three  in 
number,  termed  semilunar,  similar  to  those  found  at  the  origin  of 
the  pulmonary  artery.  This  ventricle  is  divided  from  the  one  on 
the  opposite  side  bv  a  muscular  and  tendinous  oartition  termed 
teptuw  ventriculorum. 


THE  HEART— ITS  FUNCTION  AND  DISEASES.  lol} 

Fui^m,  Situation,  and  Attachment  of  the  Heart. — Its  forra  le- 
Bcribes  that  simulating  a  cone  having  a  body,  base,  and  aj^ex. 
Its  base  being  in  a  superior  direction,  it  follows,  as  a  matter  of 
course,  that  its  apex  has  an  inferior  insertion  downward  and  back- 
ward. The  heart  lies  in  the  region  occupied  by  the  fourth,  fifth, 
and  sixth  dorsal  vertebra,  right  in  the  central  region  known  as 
the  cavity  of  the  chest.  Its  apex  is  inclined  to  the  left  side.  It 
appears  that  in  the  ox  the  heart  differs  in  construction  from  that 
of  the  horse  in  the  following  peculiarities :  There  is  a  bone  found 
in  the  heart  termed  os  cordis,  the  function  of  which  has  never  been 
explained ;  yet  it  is  evidently  intended  for  some  useful  purpose — 
perhaps  to  give  strength  and  durability  to  the  sanguinous  force- 
pump.  Next,  we  notice  some  difference  in  the  internal  mechanism 
of  the  right  ventricle.  There  are  several  fleshy  bands,  running 
across  from  side  to  side,  which  prevents  abnormal  dilatation ;  for, 
taken  as  a  whole,  the  venous  system  of  the  bovine  species  is  more 
developed  than  in  the  horse — the  veins  are  larger  and  more  numer- 
ous, and  more  blood  is  constantly  accumulating  in  the  right  auricle 
and  ventricle ;  hence  the  need  of  additional  muscular  mechanism. 


The  Heart's  Function. 

The  blood  having  gone  the  rounds  of  the  circulation,  enters  the 
anterior  or  right  cavity  (auricle).  It  then  passes  into  the  venous 
or  right  ventricle.  By  the  contraction  of  this  ventricle  the  blood 
is  forced  through  the  pulmflnary  arteries  into  the  lungs;  there 
having  undergone  certain  changes  (which  have  been  alluded  to  in 
another  part  of  this  work),  it  returns  by  the  pulmonary  veins  to 
the  left  auricle;  from  thence  it  descends  into  the  left  ventricle. 
The  contractions  of  the  left  ventricle  force  the  blood  into  the 
great  aorta  (anterior  and  posterior),  which  gives  rise  to  a  numer- 
ous set  of  arteries,  through  which  channels  the  blood  reaches  the 
extreme  parts  of  the  system. 

Diseases  of  the  Heart. 

Diseases  of  the  heart  in  cattle  are  very  common,  yet  they  fre- 
quently elude  detection,  simply  because  the  symptoms  are  very 
obscure.  Mr.  Gamgee  contends  that  the  most  common  cause  of 
diseases  of  the  heart  in  cattle  is  the  passage  of  needles,  and  other 


140  DADD'fc.  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGER\. 

foreign  bodies,  from  the  reticulum  through  the  diaphragm.  At 
the  same  time,  he  alludes  to  many  drawings  in  his  possession  of 
polypi  in  the  heart,  growing  from  the  auriculo-ventricular  valves ; 
also  to  drawings  of  deposits  beneath  the  endocardium  (lining  of  the 
heart's  cavity) ;  of  tumors,  also,  outside  the  heart,  consisting  in 
masses  of  cysts,  and  due  to  the  development  of  hydatids  of  the 
echinacoccus  veterinorum. 


Dilatation  of  the  Heart. 

The  heart  is  often  the  seat  of  dilatation,  or  amplifications  of 
one  or  more  cavities,  with  attenuation  of  the  walls  of  the  same. 
This  dilatation  is  supposed  to  arise  from  the  mechanical  effect  of 
over-distension. 

Cause. — The  cause  of  dilatation  is  deficient  power  in  the  heart 
in  proportion  to  that  of  the  system.  This  may  be  acquired  or 
it  may  be  congenital.  All  obstructions,  also,  to  the  circulation, 
whether  situated  in  the  orifices  of  the  heart  or  in  the  aortic  or 
pulmonary  systems,  may  induce  this  dilatation. 

Symptoms. — The  pulsations  are  feeble  and  oppressed,  and,  on 
moving  the  animal  about,  he  becomes  distressed ;  the  pulse  is  soft 
and  feeble;  languor  in  the  arterial  circulation,' as  shown  by  the 
congested  state  of  the  mucous  surfaces.  The  respiration  is  some- 
what affected,  not  primarily,  but  through  the  intervention  of 
irregular  nervous  action.  The  jugulars  are  engorged,  and  various 
parts  and  organs  of  the  body  are  congested,  and  the  surface  and 
extremities  are  below  the  natural  temperature. 

Treatment. — T4ie  principal  object  should  be  to  improve  the 
general  health,  by  alteratives  and  tonics.  The  surface  of  the 
body  should  be  kept  warm,  and  often  rubbed,  so  as  to  excite 
capillary  action.  This  will  also  have  the  effect  of  relieving  the 
venous  congestions.  Any  hygienic  measures,  regarding  both  diet 
and  management,  will  certainly  do  good.  Pure  air,  for  exartjple, 
is  absolutely  needed,  to  vitalize  the  blood  as  it  tardily  courses  ihe 
veins.  Without  such  there  is  very  little  chance  of  restoring  )  be 
animal.     The  alterative  and  tonic  may  be  thus  prepared : 

Iodide  of  potass \  oz. 

Fluid  extract  of  sassafras 3  02. 

Fluid  extract  of  hops 1  oz. 

Water    .  ^ 1  pint 


THE  HEART— ITS  FUNCTIONS  AND  DISEASES.  IT 

Mix,  and  dissolve  the  potass  in  the  water ;  then-  add  the  othei 
ingredients.    Dose,  one-fourth  of  this  quantity  n ight  and  morning. 

The  Pericardium  and  its  Diseases. 

The  pericardium  is  a  membranous  bag  that  surrounds  the  heart 
It  is  known  to  the  butchers  as  the  "  heart-bag,"  and  is  attached 
to  the  sternum,  diaphragm,  and  to  the  roots  of  the  large  blood- 
vessels at  the  base  of  the  heart.  It  is  composed  of  two  layers, 
united  by  cellular  tissues.  The  external  one  is  composed  of 
fibrous  tissue;  the  internal  one  is  a  smooth,  serous  membrane, 
similar  to  that  which  lines  the  cavity  of  the  chest.  This  serous 
membrane  is  studded  by  numerous  vessels  called  exhalents.  From 
these  issue  a  vapor  of  fluid,  the  purpose  of  which  is  to  guard 
against  friction.  The  insertions  of  the  pericardium  are  such  that 
it'' confines  the  heart  in  its  proper  situation,  and  aids  in  sustain- 
ino-  a  reciprocal  action  between  the  heart  and  lungs.  It  is  often 
the  seat  of  a  disease  known  as  pericarditis. 


Pericarditis. 

This  disease  consists  of  inflammation  of  the  pericardium,  the 
causes  of  which  are  supposed  to  be  nearly  the  same  as  those  of 
pleurisy,  or  inflammation  of  other  serous  membranes ;  namely, 
sudden  impressions  of  cold  on  the  external  surface,  violence,  etc. 
A  special  cause  has  also  been  assigned  for  this  disease ;  namely, 
the  penetration  of  the  pericardium  by  foreign  bodies,  such  as  nails, 
needles,  wire,  etc.,  coming  from  the  interior  of  the  stomach,  and 
working  their  way  through  it  into  the  former. 

Symptoms. — There  is  considerable  increase  in  the  force  of  the 
heart's  pulsation ;  the  jugular  veins  are  engorged  (larger  than 
usual),  and  an  undulating  movement  is  observed  in  them.  There 
will  be  acute  inflammatory  fever,  generally  preceded  by  rigors, 
shivering,  and  coldness;  the  visible  surfaces  of  the  nostrils  and 
eyes  are  highly  reddened  in  the  early  stages,  and  rumination  has 
ceased,  Avith  loss  of  appetite.  The  animal  occasionally  directs  its 
head  near  the  region  of  the  heart,  and  if  pressure  be  made  on  the 
Bteruum  (breast-bone),  it  elicits  distressing  symptoms.  As  the 
disease  progresses,  the  jugulars  increase  in  volume,  the  pulse  be- 
oituiea  feeble,  and  an  cedematous  or  dropsical  state  of  the  lower 


142  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY, 

parts  of  the  thorax  sets  in.  This  latter  feature  indicates  tnat  a 
considerable  quantity  of  fluid  is  present,  both  in  the  pericardium 
and  thorax.     In  this  stage  the  case  is  incurable. 

Treatment. — In  the  early  stage  of  pericarditis,  the  treatment 
should  be  about  the  same  as  that  recommended  for  acute  pulmonic 
and  pleuritic  affections.  Iodide  of  potassium,  in  doses  of  twenty- 
five  grains  per  day,  may  prove  serviceable;  and  some  form  oi 
diuretic  medicine  may  also  be  exhibited,  to  increase  the  action  of 
the  kidneys.  So  soon  as  the  patient  shows  signs  of  amendment, 
tincture  of  matico,  in  ounce  doses,  may  be  given,  twice  daily, 
until  the  patient  has  fairly  recovered. 

The  London  "  Veterinarian  "  publishes  the  following  case,  fur- 
nished by  Surgeon  Leppeu: 

"I  herewith  send  you  what  I  think  is  a  rare  specimen  of  a  dis- 
eased heart,  with  its  investment,  which  was  taken  from  a  cow  of 
the  short-horn  breed,  about  seven  years  old,  the  property  of  Mr. 
Bliss,  of  Windmill  Hill,  Waddesdon.  On  the  fourth'  day  after 
calving  she  was  noticed  to  fail  in  her  appetite,  and  her  milk  also 
became  greatly  diminished  in  quantity.  In  walking  across  the 
yard  she  staggered  and  fell.  She  laid  for  some  considerable  time, 
when,  with  difficulty,  she  got  up  and  walked  to  a  shed,  where  she 
soon  laid  down  again.  It  was  in  this  condition  that  I  first  saw 
her.  The  expression  of  her  countenance  did  not  materially  differ 
from  that  of  a  healthy  animal.  The  bowels  were  regular  in  their 
action;  the  pulse  did  not  exceed  fifty  beats  in  the  minute,  and 
was  soft  and  full.  On  the  left  side  of  the  chest  there  was  an 
emphysematous  swelling,  extending  over  four  or  five  of  the  mid- 
dle ribs,  and  about  eight  or  ten  inches  wide.  On  auscultating 
the  chest,  I  could  not  discover  any  unusual  sound  in  the  respira- 
tory action ;  the  breathing,  also,  was  regular.  The  jugular  veins 
were  filled  to  repletion,  so  as  to  be  observable  when  standing  by 
the  side  of  the  animal — a  state  of  things  which  I  have  invariably 
found  to  exist  in  effusion  into  the  pericardium,  and,  especially,  if 
much  fluid  is  present.  I  felt  satisfied  that  this  was  a  case  of  this 
description,  and,  consequently,  formed  an  unfavorable  opinion  as 
to  the  issue.  To  relieve  the  distended  vessels,  I  took  away  eight 
v/r  ten  pounds  of  blood,  and  gave  a  slight  purgative,  which  ap- 
peared to  afford  temporary  relief.  For  two  or  three  days  the 
appetite  improved,  aud  the  cow  appeared  to  move  with  greater 
freedom  and  less  pain.     On  the  sixth  day  after  my  first  visit  sh; 


THE  HEART— ITS  FUNCTIONS  AND  DISEASES.  148 

suddenly  relapsed,  and  died  on  the  seventh.  This  animal  had,  I'cr 
some  time  past,  wasted  in  flesh,  but,  as  her  general  appearance  was 
healthy,  little  notice  was  taken  of  it.  It  is  surprising  that  she 
should  have  gone  on  so  well  as  she  did  with  so  extensive  disease 
of  the  heart.  As  to  the  nature  of  the  aiFection  I  shall  ofier  no 
remarks,  but  leave  this  to  be  explained  by  you." 

Tlie  following  remarks  are  added  by  the  editor  of  the  above- 
named  journal : 

"Thig  was  but  another  of  several  specimens  which  we  have 
received,  from  time  to  time,  in  which  the  external  surface  of  the 
heart  was  covered  with  layers  of  effused  and  partially-organized 
fi  brine.  The  pericardium  was  thickened  to  three  times  its  natural 
substance,  and  within  it  was  contained  several  ounces  of  colorless 
serous  fluid.  The  effused  fibrine  hung  in  grapelike  appendages 
from  the  base  of  the  heart,  each  of  which  had  a  flocculent  condition. 
These  bodies  were  devoid  of  color,  and  had  altogether  such  an 
appearance  as  would  lead  us  to  doubt  whether  the  effusions  re- 
sulted from  active  inflammation.  The  muscular  substance  of  the 
organ,  and  its  internal  lining  membrane,  were  alike  free  from 
organic  change." 

The  following  case,  which  occurred  in  the  practice  of  Mr. 
Williams,  may^  also  prove  interesting  and  instructive  to  the 
reader : 

"On  the  16th  of  June,  I  was  requested  by  Mr.  Thomas  Tatum, 
Gwernafield,  to  attend  a  cow  of  his.  Her  history  he  gave  as  fol- 
lows :  '  She  has  been  unwell  since  she  calved,  three  weeks  ago. 
I.^he  foetal  membranes  were  not  expelled  for  a  fortnight  after  the 
event,  and  they  came  away  piecemeal,  in  a  state  of  putrescence. 
Her  appetite  has  been  very  capricious  all  along,  and  her  bowels 
rather  costive.  A  discharge  of  white  matter  has  taken  place  from 
the  vagina  for  the  last  week  or  so.  She  gives  but  little  milk. 
The  breathing  is  tranquil,  and  she  does  not  cough.  She  has  a 
peculiar  stare  in  the  countenance,  and  takes  a  great  deal  of  notice 
of  every  thing.' 

On  inspection,  I  found  her  as  the  owner  had  stated,  the  symp- 
toms, to  a  casual  observer,  being  any  thing  but  indicative  of 
extensive  organic  changes,  but  more  of  general  debility  after  par- 
turition. She  was  rather  emaciated.  On  closer  examination,  I 
found  the  mucous  membranes  to  be  rather  pallid ;  the  mouth,  cool 
and  moist ;  the  temperature  of  the  body  but  slightly  below  the 


144  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY 

natural  standard,  and  equal  over  all  jiarts  of  the  body ;  the  pulse, 
very  weak,  beating  96  in  the  minute,  and  regular;  the  breathing 
only  very  slightly  hurried. 

After  advancing  thus  far  in  my  examination,  I  must  confess 
that  the  case  fairly  puzzled  me,  and  I  was  inclined  to  lock  on  it 
as  one  of  general  debility  and  leucorrhea ;  but  as  the  discharge 
from  the  vagina  was  very  slight,  I  thought  it  could  not  be  the 
sole  cause  of  the  loss  of  appetite  and  other  symptoms  present.  J 
now  auscultated  the  chest,  and,  on  applying  my  ear,  the  respiia- 
tory  murmur  was  heard  distinct  and  natural,  but  I  thought  a  little 
increased  at  the  anterior  portion  of  ooth  sides.  On  auscultating 
the  region  of  the  heart,  I  failed  to  detect  the  sounds  of  that  organ, 
and  on  still  further  examination,  both  the  sounds  and  the  impulse 
were  indetectible.  This  struck  me  as  being  curious,  but,  on  ac- 
count of  the  regularity  of  the  pulse,  I  did  not  consider  either  th<' 
heart  or  its  membranes  to  be  the  scat  of  disease,  and  treated  th( 
case  as  one  of  general  debility,  loss  of  appetite,  and  leucorrhea. 
The  animal  lingered  for  about  four  weeks  more,  the  symptoms 
remaining  nearly  the  same  as  at  the  time  when  I  first  examined 
her,  with  the  exception  of  increased  emaciation. 

The  post  mortem  examination  revealed  anaemia,  the  tissues  being 
exceedingly  pale  and  sodden,  the  blood  in  the  vessels  scanty  and 
pale,  and  scarcely  staining  the  fingers.  The  ab*dominal  viscera 
were  healthy,  with  the  exception  of  the  liver,  which  was  congested. 
The  gall-bladder  was  distended  with  dirty,  lemon-colored  bile, 
of  thin  consistence,  and  seemingly  containing  a  large  amount  of 
mucus.  On  opening  the  cavity  of  the  thorax,  the  pericardium 
was  seen  distended  to  an  enormous  extent,  filling  the  floor  of  the 
cavity,  and  adherent  to  the  sternum  and  pleura  costalis  by  a  thick 
layer  of  exuded  lymph,  this  having  no  appearance  of  organization, 
but  seemingly  consisting  of  a  shapeless  basis-substance,  easily 
separated  from  the  parts  it  was  in  contact  with.  The  cavity  of 
the  pericardium  contained  in  its  inferior  part  about  two  pints  of  a 
fetid,  whey-like  fluid.  With  the  exception  of  that  part  which 
contained  this  fluid,  the  cavity  was  obliterated  by  exudation, 
matter  about  two  inches  in  thickness  surrounding  and  gluing  to- 
gether the  visceral  and  parietal  surfaces  of  the  pericardium.  The 
lieart  itself  was  flabby,  pale,  and  its  cavities  contained  a  small 
amount  of  blood,  of  the  same  thin  consistence  as  that  in  other 
parts  of  the  body.     The  endocardium  was  healthy.     The  lunga 


THE  HEART— ITS  FUNCTION  AND  UISE  LSES  145 

jiresented  no  appearance  of  disease;  they  were  oale,  excepting 
in  the  parts  lying  undermost  after  death.  The  plurse,  excepting 
where  they  were  involved  in  the  pericardiac  disease,  presented  no 
abnormal  appearance.  The  thoracic  and  abdominal  cavities  con- 
tained a  little  fluid. 

Reflecting  on  the  appearance  presented  by  the  p(  ricardium,  bv 
its  being  adherent  through  the  accompanying  pleuritis  to  the 
walls  of  the  thorax  and  sternum,  and  by  the  heart  itself  being 
thus  in  a  manner  bound  down  and  fastened  by  a  thick  layer  of 
plaster,  and  elastic  material  existing  between  it  and  the  ribs,  I 
was  satisfied  that  the  absence  of  the  sounds  of  impulse  was  due  to 
these  pathological  changes,  and  not,  as  I  had  foolishly  supposed, 
to  general  debilit} .  But,  before  giving  publicity  to  this  opinion, 
I  thought  it  better  to  wait  for  more  proof. 

September  4,  1857,  I  was  called  to  attend  a  cow,  the  property 
of  "\y.  Gregg,  Esq.,  Syntroll,  Mold.  I  had  attended  her  in  May 
previous  for  '  retention  of  the  foetal  membrane.'  She  seemed  to 
be  very  languid  and  depressed  for  some  days  before  and  after  the 
removal  of  these ;  but,  as  she  fed  pretty  well,  I  was  not  requested 
to  prescribe  for  her.  She  had  given  milk  freely  all  the  summer, 
but  had  not  appeared  so  lively  as  she  ought  to  be.  She  seemed 
as  well  as  usual  on  the  evening  of  the  3d  of  September.  On  the 
morning  of  the  4th  her  quantity  of  milk  was  diminished.  On 
examination,  I  found  her  wet  and  cold  from  the  rain  of  the  pre- 
vious night,  standing  '  all  of  a  heap ;'  head  depressed,  and  ears 
pendulous ;  mouth  and  nose,  cold ;  breathing,  tranquil ;  bowels, 
costive ;  pulse,  100,  very  feeble,  but  regular ;  the  mucous  mem- 
branes slightly  tinged  yellow.  Auscultation  failed  to  detect  the 
sounds  of  the  heart,  and  the  palpitation  was  absent.  I  pronounced 
the  case  to  be  one  of  pericarditis,  and  that  exudation  had  taken 
place  to  some  extent;  also  that  congestion  of  the  liver  existed, 
tills  being  secondary,  and  owing  to  the  feebleness  of  the  circula- 
tion. 

The  treatment  consisted  in  the  administraticm  of  purgatives  and 
stimulants.  Counter -irritants  were  also  applied  to  the  sides,  and 
as  the  case  advanced,  tonics  were  given.  But  nothing  seemed  to 
afiect  the  pulse ;  it  remained  feeble  throughou  t,  and  it  was  only  a 
few  days  before  death  that  irregularity  was  de  tected. 

On  Friday,  September  18,  diarrhea  set  in,  and  on  the  21st  cede- 
matous  swellings  appeared  in  difierent  parts  of  the  body,  but  more 
10 


146  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

especially  on  the  dewlap  and  fcre-parts.  On  the  23d  she  droppeu 
down  and  died  without  a  struggle. 

All  throughout,  this  animal  exhibited  the  same  A-atchful  state 
as  observed  in  the  first  case,  and  the  appetite  was  very  caprioioui^ 
indeed.  One  day  she  would  feed  pretty  well ;  then,  again,  shfl 
would  not  touch  any  thing  for  days.  The  bowels  werp  very  ir- 
regular, and,  on  account  of  rumination  being  suspended,  the  f(K>? 
pa*;ed  through  her  in  a  half-masticated  state. 

The  post  mortem,  four  hours  after  death,  revealed  gen'^ral  anaemiu 
of  the  subcutaneous  and  muscular  tissues,  these  being  seemingly  in 
a  broken-down  condition.  The  blood  in  the  veins  was  pale  and 
thin.  The  abomasum,  small  intestines,  and  liver  were  congested  ; 
but  even  here  the  blood  was  of  the  same  watery  character  as  in 
other  parts.  The  gall-bladder  was  distended  with  thin,  lemon- 
colored  bile.  The  thoracic  cavity  contained  rather  a  large  amount 
of  clear  serum.  The  pericardium  was  distended  by  a  layer  of 
lymph,  about  two  inches  in  thickness,  gluing  togethei  its  two 
surfajces,  and  containing,  near  the  apex  of  the  heart,  nearly  a  ])int 
of  dirty,  whey-colored  fluid,  of  a  fetid  odor.  The  lymph  waa 
easily  removed  from  the  heart,  and  between  it  and  the  muscular 
tissue  of  the  organ  was  a  layer  of  cartilaginous  substance,  about  a 
quarter  of  an  inch  in  thickness,  covered  by  a  serous  glistening 
membrane.  Toward  the  apex  of  the  heart  this  had  formed  bauds 
of  connection  between  the  two  surfaces  of  the  pericardium,  but  in 
all  other  parts  it  was  confined  to  the  visceral  pericardium  only. 
The  lungs  were  slightly  congested.  The  plurse  were  as  described 
in  the  former  case." 


Hypertrophy  of  the  Heart. 

Hypertrophy  signifies  augmentation — thickening  of  the  muscu- 
lar substance  of  an  organ,  resulting  from  increased  nutrition.  Jt 
generally  occurs  in  animals  of  the  sanguine  temperament,  of  vig- 
orous health,  their  muscles  being  much  harder  and  firmer  than 
usual.  In  such  animals  the  blood  is  rich,  and  nutrition  is  very 
active.  I  have  often  visited  market  for  the  purpose  of  inspecting 
Ihe  hearts  of  slaughtered  oxen,  and  I  have  observed  that  hyper- 
trophy generally  occurs  m  the  left  ventricle.  Sometimes  its  walls 
are  thickened,  the  cavity  retaining  its  natural  dimensions.  Occa- 
sionally the  cavity  is  dilated  ind  the  wall  thickened,  but,  in  the 


THE  HEART— ITS  FUNCT[U>   AND  DISEASES.  147 

majority  of  cases,  the  walls  are  thickened  and  ine  cavity  dimin- 
ished. This  constitutes  the  disease  known  as  true  or  concentric 
hypertrophy  (enlargement). 

This  disease,  when  moderate  and  uncomplicated,  is  not  pro- 
ductive of  much  inconvenience  to  the  bovine  species,  whose  mo- 
tions are  slow ;  yet  occurring  in  a  horse,  it  would  produce  much 
mcon\  enience,  and  render  the  animal  almost  useless  for  speed. 

Symptoms. — A  person  unacquainted  with  the  heart's  sounds  will 
find  it  impossible  to  diagnose  a  disease  of  this  character;  in  fact, 
such  a  disease  will  sometimes  defy  the  scrutiny  of  experts.  A 
deadened  sound  is  always  heard  when  the  ear  of  a  person  is  applied 
to  the  region  of  the  heart,  yet  this  depends  somewhat  on  the  form 
of  the  disease,  its  complications,  the  nature  and  intensity  of  the 
exciting  causes,  and  the  condition  of  the  patient.  On  applying 
the  finger  to  the  pulse  at  the  angle  of  the  jaw,  or  on  the  temporal 
artery,  it  will  appear  that  the  circulation  is  embarrassed. 

Treatment. — No  rules  can  be  laid  down  for  the  treatment  of  this 
aflPection,  and  the  only  agent  of  any  value  is  iodine,  or  iodide  of 
potassium.  It  is  possible,  however,  that  in  a  case  :f  this  character 
the  butcher  may  prove  to  be  the  best  doctor. 

Endocarditis. 

Endocarditis  is  an  inflammatory  affection,  located  in  the  mem- 
brane within  the  heart.  It  is  a  rare  disease  among  cattle,  yet  very 
frequently  occurs  among  horses. 

Symptoms. — Like  all  inflammatory  conditions,  this  is  attended 
with  heat  about  the  base  of  the  horns ;  hot  and  feverish  mouth ; 
vitiation  of  the  secretions;  cessation  of  rumination;  some  degree 
of  suffering,  of  a  peculiar  character,  not  noticed  in  any  other  af- 
fection. The  pulse  is  violent,  abrupt,  strong,  full,  and  may  rang? 
up  10  eighty;  every  motion  the  animal  makes  accelerates  ths 
respiration  ;  yet  the  lungs  show  no  signs  of  disease.  On  examin- 
ing the  he<art  after  death,  its  internal  membrane  is  thickened,  and 
appears  of  a  dark  purple  color;  clots  of  extravasated  blood  are 
also  present  on  its  internal  surface. 

Treatment. — Administer  a  cathartic  drench,  say  about  sixteen 
ounces  of  Glauber  salts  in  a  couple  of  quarts  of  tepid  water ;  then 
give  half  an  ounce  of  powdered  nitrate  of  potassa  in  a  little  water, 
every  four  hours,  until  the  force  of  the  pulse  is  essentially  lowered. 


J48 


DADDS  VLIEKINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 


In  the  mean  time,  administer  an  occasional  clyster  of  soap  and  warm 
water. 

This  disease  has  occasionally  a  rheumatic  origin;  so  that  if  the 
animal  be  taken  suddenly  Avith  inflammatory  muscular  lameness 
assuming  the  features  of  rheumatism,  shifting  from  one  limb  tc 
another,  and  then  leaving  the  region  of  the  first  attack  and  going 
<o  the  heait  I  should  prescribe  two  fluid  drachms  of  wine  of  col- 
chicum,  in  a  gill  of  water,  every  morning,  and  at  night,  twenty- 
five  grains  of  iodide  of  potass,  in  half  a  gill  of  water. 


OLEBBATED  BULL   *' DUTCHMAN." 


SECTION  IX. 

DISEASES    OF    THE    EYE    AND    ITS    MEMBRANES 

Dmcbiption  of  the  Eye— Humors  of  the  Eye — Coats  of  the  Eye — Muscles 
OF  THE  Eye  and  Eyelids — Ophthalmia — Foreign  Bodies  in  the  Eyes — Spe- 
cific OR  Periodical  Ophthalmia — Cancer  in  Cattle. 

Desceiption  of  the  Eye. 

THE  eyes  of  oxen  are  frequently  the  seat  of  various  forms  of 
disease,  hence  it  is  necessary  that  the  farmer  should  know 
something  of  their  wonderful  mechanism ;  I  therefore  propose  to 
give  a  description  of  the  same.  The  eye  is  protected  by  a  bony 
casing  known  as  the  orbit,  which  appears  to  be  much  stronger  than 
that  found  in  the  horse.  In  the  interior  part  we  find  a  large  quan- 
tity of  fatty  matter  which  acts  as  a  soft  cushion  foi-  the  eye  to 
repose  on,  and,  at  the  same  time,  as  the  fatty  matter  accumulates, 
it  gives  prominence  to  the  eye  and  increases  the  range  of  vision. 

Humors  of  the  Eye. 

The  humors  of  the  eye  are  named  aqueous,  crystalline;,  and 
vitreous — three  in  number.  The  aqueous  humor  fills  the  interval 
between  the  cornea  and  crystalline  lens,  and  is  surrounded  by  a 
capsule  of  its  own,  on  the  inner  surface  of  w^iich  is  secreted  thci 
aqueous  humor.  The  uses  of  this  limpid  fluid  appear  to  be  to 
transmit  the  rays  of  light  and  permit  free  motions  of  the  iris.  The 
fluid  is  frequently  evacuated  and  reproduced. 

OrystcUline  Lens. — This  is  situated  in  a  concavity  behind  the 
aqueous  humor,  and  anterior  to  the  vitreous,  opposite  to  the  pupil. 
In  appearance  it  resembles  a  crystal  or  lens  of  magnifying  glass, 
and  is  composed  of  concentric  lamellae,  and  these  of  radii.  Its 
form  is  spherical,  yet  the  posterior  surface  is  more  convex  than 

(1491 


150  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGErti. 

the  anterior.  Like  the  other  humors  of  the  eye,  it  is  enveloped 
in  a  capsule,  and  the  disease  known  as  cataract  consists  of  altered 
Htructure  in  the  lens  or  its  capsule ;  sometimes  both  are  involved. 
Acids,  alcohol,  and  boiling  water  convert  it  into  an  opaque,  solid 
body,  resembling  the  white  of  an  egg  when  boiled.  The  function 
of  the  crystalline  lens  is  to  concentrate  the  rays  of  light  so  as  to 
form  a  distinct  image  on  the  interior  of  the  eye. 

Vitreous  Humor. — This  jellylike  substance  derives  its  name 
from  its  glassy  appearance.  It  occupies  the  posterior  concavity  of 
the  globe  of  the  eye,  known  as  the  "  dark  chamber."  It  fills  the 
membranes,  aids  to  maintain  the  form  of  the  eye,  and  keeps  the 
crystalline  lens  at  a  proper  and  physiological  distance  from  the 
retina.  Anatomists  have  hitherto  failed  in  detecting  any  signs  of 
vascularity  in  the  vitreous  humor. 

Coats  of  the  Eye. 

1.  Tunica  Conjunctiva. — This  membrane  is  very  highly  organ- 
ized, lines  the  eyelids,  and  is  reflected  over  the  anterior  part  of  the 
eyeball.  It  covers  the  region  known  as  the  pupil,  yet  is  pervious 
to  the  rays  of  light.  Previous,  however,  to  being  reflected  over 
the  globe,  it  gives  a  covering  to  the  membran  beneath,  carunculae 
lacrymale,  and  puncta  lachrymalia. 

2.  Tunica  Sclerotica. — This  tunic  is  made  up  of  fibers,  which 
are  very  dense,  yet  elastic.  It  constitutes  what  is  commonly 
known  as  the  "  white  of  the  eye,"  extends  from  the  junction  of  the 
optic  nerve  with  the  globe  to  the  cornea,  and,  more  than  any  other 
tunic  of  the  eye,  tends  to  preserve  its  form.  It  also  affords  attach- 
ment for  most  of  the  muscles  of  the  eye — the  retractor  and  four 
recti. 

3.  Cornea. — This  is  a  dense  and  compact  membrane,  yet  com- 
posed of  laminated  structure,  which  accounts  for  the  opacity  or 
"  filmy  "  obscurity  so  often  encountered  in  veterinary  practice ;  for, 
in  a  physiological  condition  of  the  eye,  the  laminae  are  compact, 
like  a  house  newly  shingled ;  but,  in  consequence  of  untoward 
circumstances,  a  leak  occurs ;  a  watery  exudation  then  sets  in.  The 
cornea  may  be  considered  as  the  shield  that  protects  the  eye,  yet, 
in  consequence  of  its  transparency,  it  is  also  operative  in  the  pro- 
duction of  vision. 

4.  Iris. — This  is  the  movable  curtain  of  the  eye,  adapts  the  eye 


DISEASES  OF  THE  EYE  AND  ITS  MEMP.RANES.  15"J 

to  vision,  possesses  the  property  of  contraction  and  expansion.  In 
its  center  is  a  perforation  commonly  known  as  the  pupil.  The 
dimension  of  the  pupil  depends  entirely  on  its  contraction  and  di- 
latation. In  a  very  dark  barn  (provided  the  eye  be  in  a  healthy 
condition),  the  pupil  will  be  very  much  dilated;  in  a  barn  well 
lighted,  the  pupil  will  be  quite  small.  The  iris  is  a  fibro-museu- 
lar  membrane,  abundantly  supplied  with  blood-vessels  and  nerves, 
snd  coated  with  a  substance  known  as  uvea,  which  is  derived  from 
the  pigment.  The  arteries  of  the  iris  come  from  the  ciliary ;  ith 
nerves  are  derived  from  the  ciliary. 

5.  Choroid  Coat. — This  coat,  or  membrane,  lies  beneath  the 
sclerotica.  It  extends  from  the  optic  foramen  to  the  ciliary  edge 
of  the  cornea.  Both  of  its  surfaces  are  coated  with  pigment, 
which  absorb  the  rays  of  light.  The  outer  coating  is  entirely 
black ;  the  inner  one  is  a  mixture  of  black  and  green,  which  lines 
the  posterior  half  of  the  dark  chamber. 

6.  The  Retina. — TMs  is  the  third  or  inner  coat  of  the  eye.  It 
is  a  delicate,  transparent  membrane,  highly  vascular.  The  prin- 
cipal part  of  it,  probably,  consists  of  an  expansion  of  the  optic 
nerve ;  it  is  the  part  on  which  the  object  of  vision  is  depicted.  It 
is  supplied  with  blood  by  branches  from  the  central  artery  of  the 
retina. 

Muscles  of  the  Eye  and  Eyelids. 

The  first  muscle  which  attracts  our  attention,  on  removing  the 
palpebral  integument,  is  the  orbicularis  palpebrarum,  so  named 
fi'om  the  spherical  or  circular  arrangement  of  its  muscular  fibers. 
It  is  inserted  into  the  orbital  portion  of  the  ungis  and  os  frontis 
to  the  palpebral  ligament,  and  to  the  skin  of  the  lids.  Its  use  is  to 
shut  the  eyelids. 

Levator  Palpebrce  Superioris. — The  action  of  this  muscle  is  to 
corrugate  and  draw  the  lid  upward.  It  is  located  above  the  orbit, 
and  is  attached  to  the  forehead  by  means  of  an  aponeurotic  expan- 
sion, and  is  inserted  into  the  upper  eyelid,  its  muscular  fibers  being 
blended  with  those  of  the  preceding  muscle.  Its  action  is  to  raise 
the  upper  eyelid,  in  which  action  it  is  aided  by  the  levator  palpe- 
brae  internus. 

Next,  we  find  four  muscles  known  as  recti;  namely,  levator 
oculi,  depressor  oculi,  abductor  oculi,  adductor  oculi.  They  are 
inserted  intr  the  cavity  of  the  orbit  and  external  part  of  the  scler- 


152  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

otica,  at  points  equidistant  from  each  other.  The  action  of  tlie^e 
four  muscles  are  as  follows:  The  levator  raises  the  eyeball  in  a 
superior  direction ;  the  depressor,  as  its  name  indicates,  de])res3es 
the  eyeball ;  the  abductor  turns  the  eyeball  from  the  axis  of  the 
body  outward ;  and  the  adductor  rotates  the  eyeball  inward,  or 
toward  the  axis  of  the  body. 

The  tiiree  remaining  muscles,  making  seven  proper  to  the  eye, 
are  named  obliquus  superiora,  et  inferiora,  and  retractor  oculi. 
The  obliquus  superiora  is  found  in  the  upper  part  of  the  inner 
cavity  of  the  orbit,  and  is  attached  to  the  margin  of  the  optic  far- 
amen.  At  the  inner  canthus  of  the  eye  it  passes  through  a  fibro- 
cartilaginous pulley-like  arrangement,  by  which  means  the  eyeball 
is  rotated  in  an  oblique  direction  upward  and  outward. 

Obliquus  Superiora. — This  muscle  is  found  beneath  the  eyeball, 
in  the  front  and  lower  part  of  the  orbit.  It  is  attached  to  the  os 
unguis,  and  to  the  lower  and  outer  part  of  the  sclerotica,  at  its 
junction  with  the  transparent  part  of  the  globe.  Its  action  is 
antagonistic  to  that  of  the  preceding  muscle. 

The  seventh  and  last  muscle  to  be  described  is  the  retractor. 
It  is  one  of  the  most  admirably-arranged  muscles  in  the  whole 
animal  economy.  In  figure  it  resembles  a  hollow  cone — its  apex 
turned  backward,  its  base  pointing  forward,  the  inner  edge  sur- 
rounding the  optic  foramen,  and,  at  the  same  time,  oifering  pro 
tection  to  the  optic  nerve.  Around  its  sides,  equidistant,  are  found 
the  four  recti  muscles,  making  a  very  complex  and  wonderful  piece 
of  mechanism.  The  action  of  this  muscle  is  to  draw  the  eye  back- 
ward within  the  orbit. 

I  shall  now  make  some  brief  yet  instructive  allusions  in  rela- 
tion to  the  appendages  of  the  eye.  The  appendages  comprise  the 
eyelids,  eyelashes,  tarsal  cartilages,  meibomian  glands,  lachrymal 
glands,  caruncula  lachrymalis,  punctu  lachrymalia,  lachrymal  sac, 
and  ductus  ad  nasum. 

Eyelids. — The  upper  and  lower  eyelids  may  be  considered  as 
the  movable  blinds  of  the  eye.  The  upper  is  the  most  capable  of 
corrugation,  and  borders  the  greatest  surface  of  the  eyeball.  It  is 
readily  resolved  into  wrinkles.  At  the  junctures  of  the  aperture 
which  separates  the  eyelids  are  the  canthi,  or  angles  of  the  eye. 
The  loose  portion  of  integument  entering  into  the  composition  of 
the  upper  lid  is  derived  from  the  skin  covering  the  frontal  region, 
and  that  o^  the  lower  lid  is  derived  from  the  face.     The  lids  inter- 


DISEASES  OF  THE  EYE  AND  ITS  MEMBRANKS.  ISii 

nally  form  two  cavities,  thus  adapting  themselves  to  the  convexity 
of  the  globe.  Their  internal  surfaces  are  lined  with  the  tunica 
conjunctiva.  The  borders  of  the  eyelids  have  two  margins.  On 
the  outer  one  we  find  eyelashes  ;  between  the  latter  and  the  inter- 
nal margin  we  find  the  orifices  of  the  ciliary  glands,  through  which 
issue  a  secretion  for  the  lubrication  of  the  surrounding  parts.  The 
€<lge,  or  surface  between  the  two  margins  just  alluded  to,  conduct 
the  tears  into  the  puncta  lachrymalis. 

Eyelashes. — The  eyelashes  (cilia)  are  so  familiar  to  the  reader, 
and  their  function  is  so  apparent,  that  I  need  not  trouble  him 
with  any  remarks  about  them,  only  to  observe  that,  by  their 
advantageous  arrangement,  the  rays  of  light,  come  from  whatever 
direction  they  may,  are  somewhat  intercepted ;  and  they  also  op- 
erate as  feeders  to  the  seeing  as  well  as  the  sightless  animal,  and 
warn  him  of  his  proximity  with  bodies  that  he  can  not  immedi- 
ately perceive. 

Tarsal  Cai'tilages. — These  fibro-cartilaginous  substances  are 
found  at  the  ciliary  margins  of  the  upper  and  lower  lids.  They 
possess  firm  and  thick  ciliary  margins,  yet  grow  thin  as  they 
recede  from  the  cilia.  In  consequence  of  their  close  connection 
with  the  rim  of  the  orbit,  they  are  called,  by  some  anatomists, 
^^  tarsal  ligaments."  Their  function  is  to  give  some  degree  of 
firmness  to  the  eyelids,  or  the  soft  parts  of  the  same,  and  they 
also  preserve  the  physiological  curvature  of  the  eyelash. 

Ciliary  or  Meibomian  Glands. — On  inverting  the  eyelids  of  a 
tiorse,  and  carefully  running  the  eye  over  the  borders  of  the  lids, 
within  the  grooves,  occurring  in  the  concave  part  of  the  tarsal 
•cartilages,  we  perceive,  through  a  very  fine  tunic  or  membrane,  a 
number  of  opaque  sacs,  having  a  miniature  canal,  capable  of  pene- 
tration by  a  small  body  equal  in  caliber  to  the  point  of  a  common 
needle.  They  are  evidently  glandular  bodies,  and,  therefore, 
have  excretory  ducts,  which  pour  out  the  necessary  lubricating 
material  to  prevent  the  agglutination  of  the  lids. 

Lachrymal  Gland. — This  gland  lies  underneath  the  process  of 
*x)ne  known  as  the  orbital  arch.  It  is  covered  by  the  lining 
membrane  of  the  orbit.  It  is  a  gland  of  the  conglomerate  class, 
being  composed  of  many  lobules.  These  lobules  are  composed 
of  granules,  from  which  spring  the  excretory  ducts,  and  they,  by 
interunion,  form  a  set  of  tubes  which  terminate  on  the  conjunc- 
tiva of  the  upper  lid.     The  office  of  this  gland  is  to  secrete  the 


154  JADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SL'RGERV. 

teiirs,  which  run  into  the  ducts,  and  are  theu  poured  on  the  con- 
junctiva. 

Caruncula  Lachrymalis. — At  the  inferior  canthus  of  the  eye^ 
between  the  eyeball  and  eyelids,  is  seen  a  small,  black  tubercle^ 
called  the  caruncula  lachrymalis.  It  is  not  a  secretory  organ,  but 
appears  to  be  placed  there  for  the  mechanical  purpose  of  directing 
the  tears  into  the  puncta  lachrymalis. 

Lachrymal  Puncta  and  Conduits. — The  puncta  are  two  small 
orifices,  seen  in  the  inner  margins  of  the  lids,  at  the  root  of  the 
caruncle.  They  are  the  openings  of  two  canals  found  within  the 
substance  of  the  lids,  termed  lachrymal  conduits;  they  terminate 
in  the  lachrymal  sac. 

Lachrymal  Sac. — The  lachrymal  sac  is  a  funnel-shaped  mem- 
branous bag,  lodged  in  close  proximity  with  the  lachrymal  foi- 
amen.  This  sac  serves  as  a  reservoir,  into  which  the  tears  flo\v 
from  the  lachrymal  conduits.  The  lachrymal  sac  terminates  ia 
the  ductus  ad  nasum. 

Ductus  ad  Nasum, — The  office  of  this  duct  is  to  convey  away 
the  tears  as  fast  as  they  are  collected  within  the  lachrymal  sac. 
The  duct  terminates  at  the  inner  and  inferior  part  of  the  nostril. 
It  is  formed  by  a  prolongation  of  the  membrane  which  enters  into 
the  composition  of  the  lachrymal  sac. 

Ophthalmia 

Symptoms. — Ophthalmia,  or  inflammation  of  the  eye,  is  quite  a 
common  affection  among  neat  stock.  It  frequently  occurs  with- 
out any  assignable  cause,  except  the  concentration  of  morbid 
action  or  morbid  material  in  the  tissual  membranes.  It  is  always 
attended  with  more  or  less  pain,  tenderness,  and  tumefaction,  and 
the  tears  being  secreted  faster  than  they  can  be  carried  through 
the  ductus  ad  nasum,  flow  over  the  lower  lid.  This  simple  dis- 
eased condition  differs  from  what  is  known  as  specific  or  periodi- 
cal ophthalmia.  There  is  no  constitutional  disturbance  to  be 
noticed,  nor  symptomatic  fever,  and  the  affection  appears  to  be 
confined  to  the  conjunctivial  membrane  only. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  should  commence  by  giving  the 
animal  a  dose  of  Glauber  salts,  which  consists  of  twelve  ounce* 
of  salts  dissolved  in  one  quart  of  tepid  water.  The  action  of  thiji 
medicine  will  be  to  remove  morbid  matter  from  the  system.     The 


DISEASES  OF  THE  EYE  AND  ITS  MEMBRANES.  155 

eye  should  be  carefully  fomented  with  a  warm  infusion  of  hops, 
after  which  lay  a  piece  of  wetted  rag  over  the  eye  and  fasten  it 
to  the  horns.  I  could  name  many  favorite  local  applications 
(lotions)  for  the  disease  in  this  stage,  but,  in  my  opinion,  cold 
water  surpasses  them  all.  The  food  should  consist  of  scalded 
shorts,  the  animal  to  be  kept  quiet  in  comfortable  quarters. 

FoEEiGN  Bodies  in  the  Eye. 

If  an  animal  should  suffer  in  consequence  of  irritation  and 
tumefaction  of  the  lids  of  one  eye,  and  a  little  pus  or  matter  can 
be  detected,  the  probability  is  that  some  foreign  body,  such  as  a 
piece  of  hay,  straw,  or  dirt,  has  insinuated  itself  between  the  ball 
and  eyelid,  and  has  become  lodged  there.  In  a  case  of  this  char- 
acter, the  lids  must  be  carefully  inverted,  one  after  the  other,  and 
examined.  The  removal  of  the  foreign  body  is  equivalent  to  a 
cure ;  for  very  little,  if  any,  after-treatment  is  needed,  with  the 
exception  of  cleansing  the  eye  with  cold  water. 

Specific  oe  Peeiodioal  Ophthalmia. 

This  dangerous  form  of  disease  is  termed  periodical,  because, 
having  once  made  its  appearance,  there  is  a  liability  of  a  recur- 
rence. It  is  not,  however,  so  prevalent  among  cattle  as  among 
horses.  It  is  a  disease  which,  finally,  is  sure  and  certain  to  end 
in  cataract,  or  disorganization  of  the  eye.  In  this  stage  perhaps 
the  butcher  would  be  the  best  doctor. 

It  may  be  proper,  however,  to  give  the  reader  some  idea  of  the 
nature  and  symptoms  of  this  malady,  so  that  common  ophthalmia 
may  not  be  confounded  with  nor  mistaken  for  it.  It  has  been 
observed,  in  the  preceding  article,  that  common  ophthalmia  was 
confined  to  the  membranes  of  the  eye.  The  disease  now  under 
consideration  makes  its  ravages  on  the  inner  structures  of  the  eye, 
the  external  covering  being  only  sympathetically  involved.  On 
parting  the  swollen  lids,  and  if  the  cornea  be  not  too  opaque,  we 
shall  find  that  the  aqueous  humor  is  thick  and  muddy;  the  iris, 
lens,  and  other  internal  parts  are  altered  in  texture  and  structure ; 
in  fact,  the  eye  has  all  the  appearance  of  being  ruined,  which  is 
probably  the  case  The  remote  causes  of  this  disease  are  consti- 
tutional predisposition. 


156  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

There  are  several  other  affections  of  the  eyes  of  oxen  and  cows 
out,  as  they  are  incurable,  the  subjects  must  be  referred  to  the 
butcher. 

Cancer  in  Cattle. 

Cancer  is  a  peculiar  malignant  growth,  affecting  one  or  more 
parts  of  the  body.  It  probably  owes  its  origin  to  some  pecu- 
liarity of  constitution.  It  is  usually  divided  into  two  stages. 
The  first  is  that  of  scirrhous,  or  hardening  of  the  soft  parts;  the 
second  is  that  of  open  cancer,  or  ulceration.  In  this  stage,  a  foul 
fungus  sore  is  observed,  having  an  irregular  surface  of  varied 
hue,  with  elevated,  everted,  and  rough  margins. 

Treatment. — The  popular  method  of  treating  this  dreadful  mal- 
ady is  to  dissect  out  the  diseased  parts;  but  this  rarely  succeeds, 
for  the  disease  generally  has  an  origin  beyond  the  reach  of  our 
scalpel.  The  only  remedies  of  any  value,  in  curable  cases,  a^e 
bloodroot  and  iodide  of  potassium.  The  parts  should  be  sprinkled 
often  with  powdered  bloodroot,  and  the  patient  should  have  twenty 
grains  per  day  of  iodide  of  potassium. 

A  writer  in  the  "  Eclectic  Journal "  offers  the  following  as  the 
pathology  of  cancer : 

"According  to  the  researches  of  the  most  eminent  physiolo- 
gists, malignant  growths  are  composed  of  two  parts,  granules  or 
cells,  with  cell  germs,  and  granules  within  them,  nourished  with 
fat  cells  and  globules,  and  of  fibrous  tissue  or  «troma,  in  which 
the  former  parts  are  embedded.  Malignant  growths  are  com- 
posed chiefly  of  albumen,  supplied  with  blood-vessels,  but  differ 
in  their  essential  elements — namely,  in  their  chemical  and  micro- 
scopic— from  healthy  tissue.  The  development  of  this  disease  is 
evidently  a  perversion  of  the  ordinary  process  of  nutrition.  The 
lymph,  or  blastema,  which  exudes  through  the  capillaries,  either 
in  the  ordinary  course  of  nutrition  or  through  some  accidental 
inflammation^  appears  to  have  its  vitality  perverted;  so  that, 
instead  of  forming  itself  into  one  of  the  proper  tissues  of  the 
body,  it  forms  the  irregular  abnormal  cells,  which  constitute  this 
species  of  growth.  These  abnormal  cells  are  deposited  in  distinct 
masses,  or  else  spread  through  the  tissue  of  the  organ  or  part, 
which  it  ultimately  supersedes.  When  once  formed,  they  in- 
crease in  size  by  the  constant  formation  of  new  cells,  which  are 
supplied  with  fresh  material  from  the  blood.     In  the  course  of 


IJISEASES  OF  THE  EYE  AND  ITS  MEMBRANES.  157 

time,  the  older  portions  of  cancerous  growth  lose  their  vitality, 
soften  down,  their  outer  surface  ulcerates,  and  a  sanious  discharge 
follows." 

The   following  case  appeared  in  the  "Veterinarian,"  and  is 
selected  for  the  instruction  of  the  reader : 

"  About  two  years  since,  we  were  called  in  to  attend  a  cow,  the 
property  of  a  gentleman  residing  in  our  neighborhood.  On  ex- 
amination, we  perceived  a  cauliflower  excrescence  growing  from 
the  membrana  nictitans,  about  the  size  of  a  strawberry,  from 
which  issued  an  ichorous  discharge  that  excoriated  the  adjacent 
parts,  and  which  bled  on  the  slightest  touch.  We  at  once  de- 
cided upon  taking  it  out,  and  this  was  accordingly  done,  the  parts 
being  subsequently  touched  with  lunar  caustic.  After  this  the 
cow  appeared  to  go  on  well  for  about  twelve  months,  without  any 
reappearance  of  the  cancerous  growth.  At  the  conclusion  of  that 
time,  we  were  again  sent  for,  and  found  the  cornea  had  become 
of  a  bottle-green  color,  and  that  the  sight  of  the  eye  was  com- 
pletely gone.  About  three  months  after  this  a  fungoid  growth 
sprouted  from  the  cornea,  which  increased  in  size  very  rapidly, 
but  was  repressed  by  the  application  of  a  little  burnt  alum. 
Shortly  after  this  the  eye  receded  considerably  into  the  socket, 
and  eventually  it  sloughed  entirely  away.  Some  weeks  after- 
ward she  became  partially  paralyzed,  and  was  unable  to  masti- 
cate. The  lower  lip  was  pendulous;  the  ear  hung  down  by  the 
side  of  the  neck  on  the  affected  side ;  difficulty  of  deglutition 
was  experienced,  and  the  saliva  flowed  from  the  mouth,  mingled 
with  the  partially-masticated  food.  Attenuation  of  the  paralyzed 
muscles  quickly  followed,  and  much  general  emaciation  of  the 
frame.  The  owner  being  desirous  of  obtaining  another  calf  from 
her,  she  was  kept  alive  with  gruel ;  but,  as  it  was  soon  seen  she 
could  not  live  so  as  to  give  birth  to  a  calf,  she  was  destroyed. 
This  being  a  fortnight  befoie  her  time,  the  calf  was  immediately 
taken  out,  and  i1  seemed  likely  to  live  and  do  well.  It  however 
lived  only  three  days,  the  immediate  cause  of  death  being  inju 
tUcious  feeding." 


SECTION  X. 

HERNIA,    OR    RUPTURES. 

FoBUS    Of    RuPTUBB — Inohinal    Hernia — Stranoclated    Hernia — VENTBii 

Hernia. 

Hernia. 

HERNIA  signifies  rupture,  or  unnatural  protrusion  of  a  por- 
tion of  the  intestines  or  the  omentum.  In  consequence  of 
the  rough  encounters  which  horned  creatures  frequently  engage 
in,  they  are  liable  to  suffer  from  the  consequences  of  external 
violence,  and  a  pregnant  cow,  with  a  distended  abdomen,  is  more 
apt  to  be  injured  in  this  way  than  the  male.  Still,  an  accident 
of  this  kind  will  occasionally  occur  without  the  intervention  of 
external  injuries;  for  the  cow  is  often  the  subject  of  dropsy  of  the 
womb,  and  in  such  condition  the  abdomen  is  distended  to  an  enor- 
mous capacity.  The  only  thing  that  can  be  done  in  a  case  of 
this  character,  is  to  rupture  the  foetal  membranes  by  means  of  a 
blunt  instrument,  introduced  through  the  neck  of  the  uterus. 
This  will  not  only  evacuate  the  fluid,  but  also  bring  on  premature 
labor,  and  thus  the  lives  of  both  mother  and  calf  may  be  saved ; 
provided,  however,  the  calf  be  full  grown. 


Forms  of  Eupture. 

There  are  various  forms  of  rupture.  A  calf  is  occasionally 
born  with  a  tumor  or  enlargement  in  the  region  of  the  navel. 
This  is  known  as  congenital  umbilical  hernia.  It  is  termed  con- 
genital in  consequence  of  being  present  at  birth,  and  umbilical 
because  it  is  found  in  the  umbilical  region. 

7)eatment. — This  form  of  hernia  is  not  a  very  serious  matter, 
(15Si 


HERNIA,  OK  llLi'iURES.  159 

end  very  rarely  requires  an  operation.  My  usual  course  is  to 
apply  some  cotton-batting,  wet  with  an  astringent  (infusion  of 
bayberry  bark),  and  over  the  same  a  bandage,  which  must  b< 
passed  twice  round  the  body ;  yet,  if  the  part  is  bathed  occasion- 
ally with  infusion  of  bayberry,  the  bandage  and  batting  can  be 
dispensed  with.  The  reason  why  a  case  of  this  kind  is  not  a 
serious  affair,  is  because  there  is  no  rupture  of  the  walls  of  the 
ftbdomen,  but  a  mere  purse,  or  dilated  state  of  the  common  integ- 
uments, exists,  which,  if  necessary,  can  be  sloughed  off  by  the 
application  of  a  common  pair  of  clams. 


Inguinal  Hernia. 

When  rupture  in  the  groin  appears  at  birth,  it  is  congenital, 
and  consists  of  a  portion  of  intestine,  which  has  found  its  way 
through  the  inguinal  canal  (the  channel  through  which  the  tes- 
ticle descends  into  the  scrotum). 

Treatment — This  can  readily  be  reduced  by  raising  the  animal 
by  its  hind  legs,  and  giving  it  a  few  jerks  upward.  If  the  intes- 
tine slips  down  again,  and  the  case  requires  it,  I  should  castrate 
the  animal,  and  put  a  stitch  or  two  in  the  external  ring,  or  else 
castrate  by  the  clam  method,  which  will  produce  considerable 
swelling,  and  block  up  the  passage  so  that  the  bowel  can  not  de- 
scend.    The  clams  may  be  removed  at  the  end  of  twelve  hours. 

Strangulated  Hernia. 

The  intestine  will  occasionally  descend  into  the  scrotum,  and 
become  strangulated,  so  that  it  can  not  be  returned. 

Treatmefnt. — In  a  case  of  this  character,  the  operator  must  dilate 
the  ring  (through  which  the  intestine  descended),  by  means  of  a 
probe-pointed  bistoury.  Having  returned  the  bowel,  let  the  ani- 
mal be  castrated,  and  then  apply  the  clams.  Strangulated  hernia 
occurring  in  any  other  part  of  the  body  must  be  treated  as  fol- 
lows :  If  the  protruded  bowel  is  tumefied  in  consequence  of  gas 
within,  it  may  be  punctured,  in  one  or  two  places,  by  means  of  a 
suture-needle.  This  will  allow  the  gas  to  escape.  Then  efforts 
ahould  be  made  to  return  the  protrusion.  Failing  to  accomplish 
this  object,  in  consequence  of  stricture  or  thickening  of  the  walls 
of  the  abdomen,  I  should  introduce  the  bistoury,  and  dilate  the 


160  DADDS  VETERINARY  iMEDICINE  AND  SURGERr. 

wound.  The  reader  will  infer,  and  rightly  so,  that  I  am  alluding 
to  a  case  in  which  there  is  an  accidental  external  wound ;  other- 
wise it  would  constitute  what  is  called  ventral  hernia. 


Ventral  Hernia. 

This  form  of  hernia  consists  of  an  escape  of  a  portion  of  the 
intestines  through  a  rent  in  the  abdominal  muscles,  creating  a 
hiraor  beneath  the  common  integument.  This  tumor  may  exist 
for  some  time  without  affecting  the  animal's  health,  but  when  it 
increases  in  size,  so  as  to  be  bulky,  or  becomes  strangulated,  an 
operation  must  immediately  be  performed.  In  performing  the 
operation,  however,  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  protruded 
bowel  has  pushed  before  it  a  portion  of  the  peritoneum  (the  lining 
membrane  of  the  cavity  of  the  abdomen) ;  therefore  the  intestine 
is  contained  in  a  sac,  which  should  also  be  returned,  along  with 
the  intestine,  into  the  abdominal  cavity. 

Treatment. — The  mode  of  operation  in  cases  of  ventral  hernia 
is  to  cast  and  etherize  the  animal.  A  semilunar  incision  is  thea 
made  over  the  tumor,  the  convex  border  of  the  flap  being  down- 
ward. The  panniculus  carnosus  (subcutaneous  muscle),  or  super- 
ficial fascia,  is  alfio  divided.  A  probe-pointed  bistoury  is  then 
introduced  between  the  bowel  and  edge  of  the  wound.  This  must 
be  dilated  or  made  sufficiently  large  to  allow  the  return  of  the 
intestine.  The  rent  in  the  muscles  is  then  to  be  strongly  sutured, 
and  one  end  of  the  suture  should  be  left  long  enough  to  hang  oiiit 
of  the  wound ;  the  integuments  are  then  to  be  brought  together  m  ^ 
the  same  manner,  afler  which  dress  the  wound  with  tincture  of 
aloes.  In  the  course  of  eight  or  ten  days  a  pull  may  be  made  on 
the  ends  of  the  deep-seated  sutures,  to  see  if  they  are  ready  to 
come  away,  yet  it  is  best  not  to  remove  them  until  they  are  quite 
loose 

It  is  impossible  in  a  work  of  this  character  to  furnish  the  readei 
with  all  the  information  necessary  to  meet  the  emergencies  which 
may  occur  in  the  various  forms  of  hernia  ;  for  their  management 
and  treatment  require  more  than  ordinary  skill,  and  many  persona, 
who  consider  themselves  competent  to  prescribe  for  the  ordinary 
diseases  of  cattle,  are  willing  to  acknowledge  themselves  at  fault 
when  consulted  on  the  subject  of  rupture;  and,  lest  my  own  re- 
marks on  this  subject  may  prove  of  little  avail  in  furnishing  the 


HERNIA,  OK  RUPTURES. 

husbandman,  in  the  hour  of  need,  the  necessary  instru(  tlon,  I 
introduce  the  two  following  cases,  selected  from  the  "London 
Veterinarian."  Mr.  James  Stoavar  furnishes  the  following  case 
of  strangulated  hernia : 

"On  the  17th  of  September,  1850,  I  was  called  to  the  farm  of 
\shogle,  to  see  a  cow  which  had  been  injured  by  the  horns  of 
another ;  but,  as  I  had  left  home  that  afternoon  for  a  distance, 
and  did  not  return  until  late  next  day,  I  did  not  see  the  cow  until 
the  19th.  I  found  her  with  a  hernial  tumor  protruding  from  the 
right  iliac,  which  remained  covered  within  the  skin,  so  large  that 
a  bushel  measure  would  not  have  contained  it.  She  was  evidently 
in  much  pain  while  standing,  and  would  stand  only  a  very  short 
time.  I  was  told  that  she  had  eaten  a  good  deal  since  the  acci- 
dent, and,  an  a  stoppage  of  the  dung  was  observed,  they  had  given 
her  a  pound  of  Epsom  salts.  Her  abdomen  was  enormously  dis- 
tended, notwithstanding  the  largeness  of  the  hernial  tumor.  The 
non-escape  of  the  feces  was  proof  positive,  under  the  circum- 
stances, of  the  hernia  being  strangulated. 

I  had  her  laid  on  the  left  side,  as  carefully  as  possible,  and, 
after  every  attempt  to  return  the  hernia  by  external  manipulation 
had  failed,  I  cut  into  the  sac,  and  attempted  to  knead  in,  inch  by 
inch,  the  gorged  intestines ;  but  in  this,  also,  I  failed.  The  hernial 
opening,  was  large  enough  to  admit  three  of  my  fingers,  so  that  it 
was  not  want  of  room  in  that,  but  in  the  abdominal  cavity,  which 
was  so  fully  distended  by  the  intestines  forming  the  hernia,  that 
caused  the  difficulty.  I  had  her  laid  upon  her  back,  with  hei 
hind  legs  drawn  up,  so  as  to  throw  the  contents  of  the  abdomen 
as  much  as  possible  upon  the  diaphragm.  Even  then,  however, 
I  could  not  succeed.  I  therefore,  with  a  sharp-pointed  scalpel, 
cut  into  the  intestine,  and  emptied  it  entirely  of  its  semifluid 
contents,  stitched  up  the  wound,  and  washed  it  carefully,  and  so, 
ultimately,  accomplished  the  reduction.  With  a  strong  cord  I 
Hosetl  the  hernial  opening,  as  well  as  the  one  I  had  made  through 
the  skin,  nine  inches  further  up ;  I  then  turned  her  on  her  left 
side,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  feces  began  to  escape  by  their 
proper  channel.  I  gave  linseed  oil,  twenty  ounces,  and  tincture 
of  opium,  one  ounce.  Next  morning  I  found  her  up,  stepping 
through  the  shed,  inclined  to  eat,  her  bowels  acting  freely.  I  had 
her  tightly  bandaged,  to  support  the  abdomen,  and  made  an  open- 
ing to  alio"''  the  escape  of  discharge  at  the  bottom  of  the  sac.  I 
11 


162  DADDS  VETERINARY  iMEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

saw  her  daily  for  a  week,  and  prescribed  according  to  the  state  in 
which  I  found  her.  On  the  whole,  her  health  proved  good,  and 
her  wounds  healed  pleasantly.  She  was  fourteen  years  old,  and, 
like  most  cows,  had  a  large  belly.  She  fattened  well,  and  was 
sold  for  the  shambles  in  April.  The  butcher  told  the  farmer  that 
he  found  a  large  abscess  in  her  side  when  he  cut  her  up." 

Th-e  next  case  is  that  of  ventral  hernia,  furnished  by  Mr.  G. 
Lewis  : 

"  In  September  last,  I  was  requested  to  examine  a  heifer,  which 
was  said  to  have  a  *  swelling  on  her  right  side.'  I  found  her  with 
a  pendulous  bag,  hanging  very  low  on  the  right  flank,  and  of  an 
immense  size.  Upon  a  close  examination  of  the  parts,  I  ascer- 
tained that  the  enlargement  was  produced  by  an  escape  of  the 
intestines  through  a  rent  in  the  abdominal  muscles.  I  informed 
the  owner  that  nothing  short  of  an  operation  could  be  productive 
of  benefit  to  the  animal,  and  I  also  pointed  out  to  him  the  nature 
of  the  case,  and  its  probable  results. 

According  to  the  arrangement,  the  heifer  was  sent  to  me  on 
September  6,  when,  after  due  preparation  by  medicine,  etc.,  I  had 
her  cast  and  secured,  and  then  carefully  made  an  opening  through 
the  skin  and  panniculus  muscle,  immediately  over  the  laceration 
in  the  other  muscles,  but  a  little  longer  than  it.  I  thus  exposed 
the  rent  which  existed  in  the  external  and  also  the  internal 
oblique.  The  edges  of  the  aperture  were  very  uneven  and  much 
thickened;  and  I  may  state  in  this  pla<5e  that  the  enlargement 
had  been  observed  a  month  prior  to  this  date.  A  large  portion 
of  the  intestines  were  found  to  have  escaped  into  the  sac  formed 
by  the  panniculus  and  common  integument;  besides  which,  a  con- 
siderable quantity  of  serous  fluid  existed  beneath  the  skin,  and 
externally  to  the  panniculus,  which  had  doubtless  been  thrown 
out  by  the  injured  vessels. 

The  intestines  being  returned  into  the  abdominal  cavity,  the 
edges  of  tlie  laceration  were  brought  together  with  strong  metallic 
sutures,  and  properly  secured.  The  external  wound  was  then 
closed ;  and,  before  allowing  the  animal  to  rise,  I  passed  a  seton 
through  the  most  depending  portion  of  the  integumental  sac,  with 
a  view  to  give  a  gradual  and  continuous  exit  to  the  serous  effii- 
sion.  A  compress  was  also  placed  upon  the  part  to  remove  aa 
much  of  the  pressure  of  the  viscera  as  possible,  after  which  the 
animal  was  allowed  to  rise. 


HERNIA,  OR  RUPTURES. 


163 


For  several  days  the  bowels  remained  obstinately  constipated, 
and  some  symptomatic  fever  was  also  present;  but,  by  proper 
measures,  these  unfavorable  symptoms  were  soon  removed.  The 
animal  was  allowed  only  linseed  tea  and  thin  gruel  for  a  few  days. 
Subsequently  a  large  amount  of  serous  fluid  was  discharged  through 
the  openings  made  for  the  introduction  of  the  seton ;  it  however, 
soon  ceased.  The  sutures  also  came  away  in  due  course,  leaving 
but  little  appearance  of  the  original  injury." 


VIEW  OF  SOME  OF  THF,  SUPERFICIAL  MUSCLKS. 


Mr^ 

M^wmm 

pp^fps 

■  i^^M 

^i^i%ii^ 

^^S(^ 

SECTION   XI. 

DISEASES    OF    THE    BONES. 

Cachexia  Ossafraoa — Bone  Disorders— Mechanism  and  Structure  of  Bones- 
Composition  OF  Bones — Ultimate  Constituents  of  Bones — Dilatation  of  the 
Jaw  Bones — Abscess  beneath  the  Periosteum,  at  the  Angle  of  the  Jaw — 
Exostosis,  or  Deposit  of  the  Calcareous  Matter  on  the  Surface  of  Bones 
— Caries,  of  Ulceration  of  Bones — Preliminary  to  Horn-Ail — On  Sympa- 
thy and  the  Sympathetic  Relations  which  exist  in  the  Animal  Eco-nomy- 
Horn-Ail — Tail-Ail. 

Cachexia  Ossafraga  (the  "Cripple").* 

"  .4  LTHOUGH  using  this  term  as  the  title  of  my  subject,  I  do 
-tjL  not  consider  it  to  give  an  idea  of  the  exact  character  of  the 
disease  I  am  about  to  describe,  but  merely  to  convey  an  impression 
of  a  very  prominent  symptom  of  the  disease.  As  many  other 
maladies  existing  in  different  localities,  this  one  is  very  differently 
treated  of  in  our  veterinary  works.  The  inefficiency  of  our  works 
on  cattle  medicine  is  sufficiently  apparent  to  the  practitioner,  who, 
afi^er  a  nominal  term  spent  at  college,  enters  into  the  world  of 
medicine  a  sufficiently-educated  person,  as  his  diploma  gives  him 
to  understand ;  but  how  frequently  is  he  wofully  disappointed  when 
called  to  any  of  the  several  enzootics  in  cattle  which  he  finds  have 
not  been  treated  of,  perhaps  not  mentioned  either  at  college  or  in 
the  books ! 

The  present  subject  is  one,  among  others,  which  is  not  discussed 
in  British  works  on  cattle  medicine.  It  is  a  disease  very  preva- 
lent in  man}»  districts  I  am  personally  acquainted  with,  and  in  all 
of  which  it  passes  under  the  very  expressive  term  of  '  cripple,'  the 
appearance  of  the  animal  fully  confirming  the  term.  It  seldom 
happens  that  a  solitary  case  occurs  on  a  farm  which  is  subject  to  it; 

*  P.  Sarginson,  V.  S. 
(164) 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BO^ES  I6t 

tor  all  the  milch  cows,  and  perhaps  some  of  the  younger  stock,  are 
more  or  less  affected  by  it.  Such  farms  are  considered  to  be  of 
mucii  less  value  than  other  places  on  which  it  does  iiot  occur,  not 
only  from  the  unthrifty  condition  of  the  stock,  but  also  as  regards 
fertility,  as  they  are  never  found  to  be  very  productive,  and  among 
farmers  they  pass  under  the  cognomen  of  '  crippled  places.'  The 
disease  will  never  be  found  to  exist  on  farms  that  are  fertile  and 
rich ;  in  fact,  a  certain  guide  to  the  locale  of  this  affection  is  to 
look  out  for  farms  that  are  situated  on  high  lands,  possessing 
stunted  hedges  and  trees,  a  barren,  or,  at  least,  a  poor  soil,  produc- 
ing a  dry,  short,  and  innutritious  herb.  On  passing  over  the 
farm,  the  limestone  rock  will,  most  generally,  be  seen  to  project 
out  of  the  soil,  proving  that  it  is  situated  on  the  limestone ;  or  by 
examining  the  rivulets,  if  any,  that  flow  through  the  farm,  the 
water  will  appear  to  be  beautifully  transparent,  so  that  the  smallest 
pebble  may  be  discerned  on  its  bed.  There  is,  also,  in  the  gener- 
ality of  instances,  the  I'mestone  rock  forming  its  bed.  When  this 
is  present,  any  old  farmer  will  tell  you  that  the  water  which  seems 
to  be  so  limpid  and  pure  is  '  hard,'  and  that  the  cattle  confined  to 
it  are  certain  to  be  crippled.  I  have,  however,  noted  farms  where 
the  water  which  supplied  them  was  charged  with  a  carbonate  of 
lime,  and  still  no  cripple  exists  on  them.  This  is,  undoubtedly, 
owing  to  the  character  of  the  soil,  which,  on  examination,  is  found 
loamy  and  free,  and  lying  on  the  red  sandstone  rock.  I  have  also 
noticed  'cripple'  prevailing  on  farms  supplied  with  water  running 
over  mosses,  etc.,  which,  from  the  experience  of  intelligent  farm- 
ers, has  been  said  to  be  antagonistic  to  this  affectwn.  Th\H,  in  my 
opinion,  is  caused  from  the  character  of  the  soil  proving  to  be  of 
an  undoubted  calcareous  character,  intermixed  with  da)-.  Al- 
though it  can  not  be  doubted  but  that  the  water  supplying  farms 
impregnated  with  any  principle  of  an  injurious  character  will  have 
an  influence  in  the  production  of  disease,  yet,  in  the  instances 
quoted,  it  appears  that  the  character  of  the  herbage  produced  on 
•  ich  farms  either  counteracted  the  injurious  influence  of  the  water, 
or,  on  the  other  hand,  destroyed  or  overbalanced  the  influence  of 
tlif  mossy  water. 

From  what  has  been  stated,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  'cripple' 
wir  and  does  exist  on  those  farms  where  the  soil  is  calcareous  and 
clayey,  and  ^bat  it  is  evident  that  such  soils  are  incapable  of  pro- 
ducing a  succulent  and  healthy  plant ;  in  fact,  will  the  herb  not  b« 


ItJt)  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGEhi. 

surcharged  with  calcareous  and  silicious  elements?  and  is  there  uo* 
a  deficiency  of  azote-producing  principles  ?  As  it  is  well  known 
that  where  nitrogen  abounds  a  luxuriant  herbage  is  the  result,  we 
need  go  no  further  in  support  of  this  than  a  farm  on  which  an 
abundant  supply  of  its  manure  is  spread.  How  much  more  abun- 
dant and  luxuriant  is  the  character  of  the  vegetation  from  the  use 
of  decomposed  vegetable  matter  and  animal  excretae  than  from 
any  thing  else.  If,  therefore,  the  herb  grown  on  these  '  crippled 
farms '  be  unhealthy,  as  there  is  little  doubt,  the  animals  partak- 
ing of  such  will,  without  doubt,  in  the  course  of  time,  have  their 
systems  seriously  deranged,  and  the  character  of  derangement  will 
depend  either  upon  an  insufficient  supply  of  nitrogenous  material, 
inducing,  consequently,  emaciation  and  pure  debility;  or  it  may 
be  that,  where  this  deficiency  of  azotized  material  exists,  the  earthy 
salts  may  not  exist  in  an  abnormal  degree,  but  still,  from  a  want 
of  other  nutritious  material  to  counteract  their  ill  effect,  the  sys- 
tem may  become  charged  with  them.  When  the  herbage  and  other 
produce  of  the  soil  is  charged  with  earthy  salts,  whether  carbonates 
or  silicates,  they  would,  in  all  probability,  become  assimilated,  or, 
at  least,  there  would  be  a  tendency  to  the  deposition  of  these  salts 
into  the  various  textures,  such  as  the  cartilages,  ligaments,  and 
cardiac  valves,  etc.,  all  of  which  lesions  are  apparent,  to  a  greater 
or  less  degree,  in  all  the  animals  which  have  died  of  this  disease 
that  I  have  examined.  Some  are  of  opinion  that  it  is  owing  alto- 
gether to  an  excess  of  carbonate  of  lime  in  the  soil  and  waters; 
but  if  this  were  the  case,  the  character  of  the  farm  could  not  be 
altered,  nor  the  disease  be  removed,  as  has  been  done,  and  which 
will  be  noticed  hereafter.  It  is  most  probable,  at  least,  as  far  as 
my  humble  opinion  goes,  that  it  is  induced  from  the  combined 
influence  of  poverty  in  the  soil,  and  an  excess  of  astringent  salts, 
silicates,  etc.  When  I  refer  to  the  poverty  of  the  soil,  it  must  not 
be  understood  that  I  mean  an  exhausted  state  of  the  soil,  because 
many  of  those  places  have  not  been  broken  up  with  the  plow  to 
ar  "  extent.  Many  farmers  are  of  opinion  that  the  labor  and  ex- 
pense required  in  the  cultivation  of  such  lands  would  not  be  com- 
pensated by  their  produce.  If  it  were  turned  up  by  the  plow,  the 
advantages  it  would  derive  from  exposure  to  the  atmosphere  and 
rain-water  would  be  considerable. 

There  are  many  farms  which  are  termed  crippled  farms,  and 
many  cattle  called  crippled,  which  are  not  really  so.     The  mystery 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BONES.  167 

of  this  is  easily  explained.  On  strict  inquiry,  you  will  find  tha* 
the  reason  the  stock  display  so  many  of  their  bones,  and  walk  oif 
so  stiff,  is  owing  altogether  to  imperfect  feeding.  It  answers  as  & 
good  excuse  for  the  farmer  who  overstocks  his  farm,  and  is  thus 
compelled  to  serve  out  short  rations,  to  say  that  it  is  the  cripple 
(or  any  other  name  it  may  possess)  that  is  the  cause.  The  climale 
will,  without  doubt,  have  a  great  influence  in  modifying  this  dis- 
aase  as  is  shown  by  the  greater  severity  in  form  on  those  lands 
tha  lie  the  highest,  where  the  protection  is  scanty  from  the  in- 
clemencies of  the  seasons.  A  fact  connected  with  this  affection  is 
that  when  cattle  are  taken  from  those  farms  which  are  subject  to 
it,  even  when  suffering  severely  from  it,  to  farms  existing  on  the 
eastern  banks  of  the  river  Eden  (which  flows  through  the  vale  of 
Westmoreland),  they  recover  completely  from  its  effects,  and  are 
perfectly  free  from  a  recurrence  of  the  attack  if  they  remain  in 
that  district.  It  is  a  common  saying  among  farmers  that  '  there  is 
no  cripple  on  that  side  of  Eden.'  The  character  of  these  farms 
that  are  free  from  the  affection  is  essentially  different  from  thos^ 
afflicted  with  it.  They  have  a  free,  sandy,  and  rich  soil,  produc- 
ing excellent  oats  and  rich  meadow-grass,  but  their  climate  is 
colder,  owing  to  their  being  situated  near  a  range  of  mountains ; 
but  if  the  cattle  are  brought  on  to  those  farms  situated  on  the 
western  bank  of  Eden,  where  the  cripple  prevails,  they  soon  begin 
to  show  the  symptoms  of  an  attack.  I  do  not  include  all  the  farms 
on  the  western  bank,  as  some  are  perfectly  free  from  it. 

From  this  instance,  we  may  again  be  led  to  infer  that  the  herb 
and  water  to  which  they  had  been  previously  subject  were  not 
sufficiently  nutritious,  or  else  impregnated  with  some  injurious 
matter,  because,  on  removal  to  farms  producing  a  superior  herbage, 
they  have  recovered,  sometimes  in  an  incredible  short  time,  for  the 
sad  state  they  were  in.  On  all  these  crippled  places  cows  that 
yield  a  great  quantity  of  milk  are  the  soonest  attacked,  and  th* 
farmer  knowing  this  will  not  take  such  to  his  farm,  because  he 
would  soon  have  to  'dry'  them,  or  they  would  rapidly  fail ;  but 
animals  that  have  been  reared  on  these  places  are  less  liable  to  its 
attack,  and  are  seldom  so  severely  afflicted  by  it. 

Many  have  confounded  this  affection  with  rheumatism,  but  it  is, 
without  doubt,  a  distinct  disease  in  character,  as  in  no  case  of 
cripple  will  be  seen  the  acute  symptoms  and  fever  which  exist  in 
noth  the  acute  and  chronic  form  of  rheumatism.     In  those  cases 


l68  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURUERT. 

where  suppuration  exists  in  the  joints,  and  the  limbs  even  rot  off, 
it  is,  in  my  opinion,  produced  from  the  friction  of  the  joint  from 
ossified  cartilage,  and  an  evident  deficiency  of  synovia,  these  in- 
ducing a  local  inflammation  altogether  differing  from  the  peculiar 
characteristics  oi  rheumatism,  and,  unlike  it,  the  osseous  system 
teems  to  be  the  principal  seat  of  disease. 

Some  cattle  evince  a  greater  predisposition  than  others  to  an 
attack,  as  the  elderly  cow  and  the  cow  that  yields  a  great  quantity 
of  milk.  I  have  never  noticed  young  calves  become  affected  by 
it.  Some  have  stated  them  to  have  been  so,  but,  on  inquiry,  it 
has  been  found  to  be  pure  arthritis,  or  joint-felon,  from  cold  and 
damp  houses.  While  one  of  the  stock  of  calves  has  been  so  af- 
flicted, the  others  were  perhaps  perfectly  healthy.  The  symptoms 
vary  in  degree  of  virulence  on  different  farms.  Some  farms  have 
a  very  slight  attack,  while  others  are  very  severely  afflicted  with 
it ;  but  the  symptoms  will  vary  frequently  on  one  farm,  as,  on  en- 
tering a  cow-house  with  a  collection  of '  crippled '  cattle,  it  will  be 
seen  that  some  are  slightly  affected,  while  others  are  evidently 
suffering  greatly.  The  disease  being  of  a  subacute  character,  the 
period  from  its  first  appearance  in  an  animal  to  its  last  stage  occu- 
pies fi-equently  some  years,  according  to  the  vigor  of  their  consti- 
tutions, and  the  mild  or  severe  form  of  the  disease.  There  is  one 
farm  I  am  acquainted  with  where  the  owner  is  compelled  to  change 
his  stock  every  two  years,  to  prevent  heavy  losses  occurring. 

Symptoms. — In  the  primary  stage  of  the  disease  the  animal  pre- 
sents a  lean,  emaciated  condition.  The  bones  in  every  part  of  the 
body  are  prominent ;  the  skin  is  tight,  hard,  and  void  of  all  sup- 
pleness ;  the  hair  presents  a  coarse  appearance,  standing  almost 
straight  up,  having  none  of  its  naturally  smooth  character  about 
it ;  but  if  we  see  our  patient  walk,  it  will  strike  us  that  there  are 
no  joints  in  her  limbs,  as  she  is  peculiarly  stiff,  knocking  her 
hock -joints  up  against  each  other  without  any  regard  to  the  un- 
etateliness  of  the  gait.  She  will,  also,  while  walking,  make  an 
extaordinary  cracking  noise,  showing  an  insufficiency  of  synovia 
to  lubricate  the  joints;  the  pulse,  on  pressure,  feels  flaccid,  but  the 
caliber  is  rather  increased  than  diminished ;  rumination  is  per- 
formed rather  slow  and  sluggishly;  appetite  is  not  indifferent, 
eating  her  hay,  straw,  or  turnips  with  a  degree  of  zest.  If  we 
allow  he'  to  come  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  hedge  where  the 
fermer'a  "vife  has  displayed  her  linen.,  she  will  indicate  the  i)he- 


r/ISEASES  OF  THE  BONES.  it)i> 

oomenon  of  bulimia  or  depraved  appetite.  She  will  seize  with 
avidity  the  hrst  article  she  reaches,  and  chew  it  with  wonderful 
pleasure ;  she  will  also  hunt  with  avidity  any  sour  or  filthy  liquids, 
even  human  urine,  and  drink  them  greedily;  and  when  in  the 
pasture  will  pick  up  a  bone,  if  such  can  be  found,  and  chew  it  for 
an  hour  at  a  time,  seeming  to  enjoy  the  occupation.  Stones,  iron, 
t?ticks,  clothes,  etc.,  are  all  alike  objects  of  attraction  to  her.  This 
peculiar  habit  is  attributable,  I  should  think,  to  acidity  of  the 
etomach.  The  farmer  imagines  that  a  sod,  cut  from  a  field  and 
placed  before  her,  will  palliate  her  affection,  and  the  cow,  to  ap- 
preciate his  kindness,  commences  to  lick  it,  and  even  to  devour  the 
soil  that  is  on  it.  I  have  noticed  them  chewing  these  different 
articles,  and  never  saw  one  display  any  anxiety  to  swallow  the 
object,  but  merely  a  desire  of  chewing.  When  such  articles  are 
swallowed,  it  will,  I  think,  be  more  accidental  than  intentional 
on  the  j)art  of  the  animal,  but  I  can  not  be  positive  on  this  point. 
They  show  a  particular  desire  to  chew  articles  of  clothing,  as  is 
testified  by  a  person  going  to  a  stall-head  between  two  of  them. 
They  will  immediately  seize  his  dress  and  chew  it.  The  bowels 
are  always  more  or  less  constipated,  and  the  secretion  of  milk  is 
partly  checked,  although  but  slightly.  They  may  continue  in 
this  manner  for  a  longer  or  shorter  period,  according  to  constitu- 
tion and  external  circumstances,  before  they  display  any  of  the 
worst  symptoms  concomitant  on  the  termination  of  the  disease. 
It  is  a  gradual  declining  from  the  primary  symptoms  to  those  of 
a  more  fatal  character.  These  may  be  marked  by  the  appearance 
of  tumors  over  the  hips  or  stifle-joints,  or,  perhaps,  a  tumefaction 
extending  from  the  stifle  to  the  hock-joint,  which,  in  the  course 
of  time,  suppurates.  In  the  mean  time,  the  system,  it  is  evident, 
is  sinking.  The  pulse  is  flaccid,  but  still  retains  its  caliber,  al- 
though accelerated ;  appetite  is  impaired,  and  rumination  is  per- 
formed very  lazily;  constipation,  if  a  milch  cow;  the  milk  is  now 
wholly  suspended,  or  nearly  so.  If,  perchance,  the  animal  has 
swallowed  any  irritating  or  indigestible  substance,  which  is  almost 
always  the  case,  the  symptoms  of  indigestion  will  be  more  severe, 
with  perhaps  an  intermittent  pulse,  great  lameness,  increasing  to 
such  an  extent  that  the  animal  is  either  unwilling  or  incapable  of 
rising ;  or,  perhaps,  on  closer  examination,  some  bone  will  bt- 
found  to  have  become  fractured,  either  the  scapula,  femur,  or  the 
oelvis,  or  it  may  have  occurred  in  any  other  bone,  as  there  is  the 


170  1>ALLS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGBRjt. 

same  tendency  in  all  the  bones  to  fracture,  although  the  animal  is- 
fastened  up  in  his  stall,  and,  therefore,  not  subject  to  any  of  the 
ordinary  causes  of  fracture. 

I  recollect  a  case  in  which  the  animal  could  not  stand.  On  ex- 
amination, it  was  found  that  the  radius  and  ulna  were  completely 
fractured ;  next  day  the  scapula  and  femur  were  broken ;  in  fact^ 
one  after  another,  all  the  bones  of  the  limbs  became  fractured, 
until  the  animal  died  from  the  extent  of  irritative  fever  set  up, 
consequent  on  the  fractures.  Another  instance  of  this  brittlencsss 
of  bone :  A  milch  cow  was  purchased  as  perfectly  sound.  She 
was  poor,  and  the  excuse  was  that  she  was  rather  crippled.  A 
feir  price  was  paid  for  her.  She  walked  to  her  new  home  ex- 
tremely stiff  and  lame.  Next  morning  I  saw  her,  and  found  the 
OS  ilium  fractured ;  afterward  the  femur  broke,  and  she  died. 

In  the  greater  part  of  cases  the  brittleness  of  bone  is  present^ 
and  in  such  I  never  noticed  any  suppurative  tumors,  excepting 
some  cases  where  the  joints  were  affected,  and  opened  from  local 
inflammation.  On  examining  some  cases  after  death,  I  found  at- 
tenuation of  muscles,  the  bones  polished  at  their  extremities,  and 
brittle.  In  some  rare  cases  exostosis  may  be  noticed  on  the  body 
of  the  bone,  bu'  ouch  are  scarce.  On  the  epiphyses  of  the  bones^^ 
liowever,  they  will  frequently  be  found,  more  especially  at  the 
lower  extremity  of  the  tibia.  Sometimes  they  have  existed  to  such 
an  extent  as  to  anchylose  the  hock-joint.  In  all  the  articulations 
there  is  evident  deficiency  of  synovia.  The  different  articulator/ 
cartilages  displayed  an  undoubted  tendency  during  life  to  the  depo- 
sition of  osseous  matter  in  them,  as  all  of  them  possessed  a  degree 
of  hardness  inconsistent  with  nature. 

In  regard  to  prevention,  it  will  be  evident  enough  that  the  re- 
moval of  the  animal  from  the  innutritious  farm  to  one  of  a  richer 
and  more  luxuriant  character  will  be  attended  with  the  greatest 
benefit.  Many  cases  have  been  recruited  even  when  the  animal 
has  been  compelled  to  lie  and  eat.  An  important  fact  I  wish  to 
mention  here  is,  that  there  are  some  two  or  three  large  farms  in 
this  neighborhood  which  were  formerly  severely  afflicted  with  this 
discc.^e ;  but  now,  since  they  have  become  possessed  by  enterprising 
agriculturists,  the  disease  is  much  abated,  in  fact,  proving  a  very 
rare  visitor,  although  these  farms  possess  the  characteristics  pre- 
viously described  as  *  crippled  places,'  and  were,  in  fact,  situation.-* 
where  this  disease  prevailed  to  a  serious  extent.     The  means  whieb. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BONES.  171 

have  been  resorted  to  by  these  men  were  irrigation  and  extensive 
use  of  artificial  and  other  manures  on  the  farms,  thus  altering  the 
character  of  the  herbage,  as  it  is  not  only  more  luxuriant,  but  evi- 
dently of  a  more  succulent  and  nutritious  character.  They  also 
cultivate  a  good  quantity  of  the  mangel-wurzel  and  linseed  for 
consumption  by  the  stock.  These  articles  were  never  known  on 
the  farms  while  suffering  from  '  cripple.'  These  means  have  evi- 
dentK  produced  a  wonderful  effect,  as  they  are  seldom  if  ever  af- 
flictec  with  it.  As  the  disease  is  found  to  be  worse  during  the 
autumn  and  winter  seasons,  when  the  cattle  are  brought  in  to  dry 
food,  the  necessity  of  a  succulent  diet  is  obvious ;  but  still  I  have 
seen  many  bad  cases  during  summer,  on  farms  where  the  soils  were 
calcareous  or  clayey.  Where  there  is  a  scanty  supply  of  turnips, 
and  where  oil-cake  or  other  of  these  useful  articles  of  diet  are 
scarce,  the  '  cripple '  will  be  the  most  severe.  In  a  word,  to  pre- 
vent it,  soft  nutritious  diet,  as  turnips,  mangel-wurzel,  oil-cake, 
etc.,  must  be  resorted  to ;  and  the  hay  or  straw  with  which  the 
animals  are  supplied  should  not  be  the  stunted  and  dry  material 
which  is  produced  by  those  lands  on  which  the  '  cripple '  is  known 
to  exist,  but  such  as  is  produced  by  the  plentiful  use  of  artificial 
and  other  manures,  to  counteract  the  tendency  of  the  soil  to  pro- 
duce a  dry  and  stunted  herb.  The  use  of  crushed  oats  and  barley, 
along  with  other  nutritious  food,  will,  in  the  course  of  time,  have 
a  very  beneficial  effect  also. 

When  the  practitioner  is  sought  to  a  case  of  confirmed  '  cripple,' 
where  the  preventive  means  have  not  been  resorted  to,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  employ  more  active  measures.  Many  remedies  have 
been  tried,  with  more  or  less  benefit,  according  to  the  advance- 
ment of  the  disease,  where  the  cachexia  ossifraga  is  so  predom- 
inant, and  one  bone  becoming  rapidly  fractured  after  another,  the 
ease  may  be  looked  upon  as  altogether  hopeless;  but  in  those 
cases  where  the  tendency  to  fracture  is  not  so  great,  the  animal 
may  be  recruited  most  generally.  In  recommending  remedies  for 
a  disease  possessing  different  phases,  it  is  necessary  to  apply  those 
means  which  seem  most  applicable  to  the  one  particular  case  in 
hand.  Many  disappointments  have  originated  from  the  reported 
success  of  a  particular  remedy  from  parties  who,  no  doubt,  did 
succeed  with  it,  while  others,  without  taking  into  consideration 
the  modifications  of  the  disease,  ruled  l)y  circumstances,  climate, 
etc.,  h^ve  unmistakably  failed,  although  the  same  remedy  may 


172  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

have  been  employed,  thus  showing  that  one  remedy  may  succeed 
admirably  in  one  district,  while  in  another  it  is  sometimes  nee  y 
useless. 

Treatment. — The  means  which  I  have  seen  applied  with  success, 
according  to  the  modification  of  the  disease,  were,  in  the  cases 
where  the  attack  is  primary,  the  use  of  malt  ale,  administered  in 
pint  doses  every  night  for  a  length  of  time;  water  acidulated 
with  sulphuric  acid,  diluted,  or  with  nitric  acid,  allowing  the 
animal  no  other  water  to  drink  excepting  this;  also  administer- 
ing the  diluted  sulphuric  acid,  twice  daily;  and  where  constipa- 
tion is  threatened  by  its  use,  it  must  be  obviated  by  a  laxative 
diet.  Hydrochloric  acid  and  nitric  acid  have  been  used,  but  the 
preference  is  given  tu  the  sulphuric.  Sulphate  of  soda,  in  quarter- 
pound  doses,  combined  with  vegetable  tonics,  will  sometimes  be 
found  useful.  Camphor,  in  large  doses,  combined  with  tonics, 
given  in  cold  ale  instead  of  gruel,  have  been  attended  with  good 
success ;  also,  the  use  of  a  decoction  of  the  willow  or  poplar  barks, 
given  in  pint  doses,  will  be  found  an  admirable  tonic  for  advanced 
cases.  As  to  the  use  of  sedatives,  the  animal  rapidly  sinks  under 
their  influence.  The  only  class  of  medicines  that  have  been  the 
most  successful  were  tonics.  There  are  many  cases  of  chronic 
rheumatism  and  arthrites  that  have  been  confounded  with  cripple, 
but  any  one  acquainted  with  these  diseases  will  readily  recognize 
an  essential  difference  between  them.  But,  in  fact,  every  remedy 
will  be  comparatively  useless  unless  the  animal  be  put  upon  a 
more  nutritious  diet — a  diet  free  from  astringent  qualities.'' 

Bone  Disordee. 

During  the  past  few  years  I  have  noticed  a  number  of  articles 
in  our  agricultural  periodicals-  referring  to  a  disease  named  by  the 
writers  "  Bone  Disorder."  The  name,  as  the  reader  will  perceive, 
does  not  throw  the  least  ray  of  light  on  the  pathology  of  the  mal- 
ady ;  in  fact,  it  savors  strongly  of  the  so-called  "  horn-ail "  and 
*'  tail-ail " — terms  which  apply  to  symptoms  rather  than  to  any 
real  disorder.  One  writer  informs  us  that  when  an  animal  be- 
<^omes  the  subject  of  bone  disorder,  '*  the  bones  threaten  to  cave 
in — have  wasted  away."  If  they  do  threaten  to  cave  in.  the  best 
method  I  am  acquainted  with  to  insure  an  opposite  tendency,  ia 
to  promote  the  healthy  functions  of  the  l)ody,  and  thus  keep  dis- 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BONES.  Mh 

ease  and  the  cattle  separate.  If  the  bonts  waste  away,  and  then 
atssume  their  original  shape  by  merely  feeding  bone  meal,  as  the 
writers  contend,  then  the  bones  of  cattle  must  possess  some  pecu- 
iiarities  that  I  have  never,  in  my  professional  capacity,  betn  able 
to  discover. 

If  the  animals  recover  (as  we  are  told  they  do),  then  it  might 
be  inferred  that  the  bones  possess  properties  analogous  to  that  of 
the  soft  tissues — an  inference  which  the  reader  knows  is  not 
correct.  I  would  observe,  however,  that  all  parts  of  the  animal 
organism  undergo  a  very  perceptible  augmentation,  and  decrease 
or  waste.  Thus,  up  to  the  period  of  adult  life,  all  parts  of  the 
animal  frame  increase  in  bulk,  and  give  to  the  animal  that  rotund 
and  symmetrical  appearance  which  attracts  the  eye  of  all  those 
who  love  to  admire  the  works  of  Nature ;  but,  at  last,  old  age 
comes  on,  which  is  attended  by  a  gradual  waste  or  shrinkage. 
This  occurs,  however,  more  in  the  muscles  than  in  the  bones; 
yet  the  latter  undergo  some  condensation,  which  may  possibly 
lessen  their  volume.  This,  however,  is  a  physiological  result,  the 
work  of  uncompromising  Nature,  over  which  human  agency  (bone 
meal  included)  has  not  the  least  control. 

Whenever  the  bones  do  become  diseased,  it  is  the  result  of  he- 
reditary predisposition,  of  local  injury,  or  of  impaired  digestion. 
So  far  as  my  inquiries  have  extended  in  relation  to  the  character 
of  the  so-called  bone  disorder,  I  infer  that  it  is  a  disease  of  a  de- 
bilitating character,  originating,  in  most  biases,  in  the  digestive 
and  nutritive  organs  affecting  not  only  the  bones  but  various 
other  tissues  of  the  body,  and,  therefore,  the  only  rational  plan  of 
treatment  consists  in  improving  the  general  health  of  the  animal. 
The  ways  and  means  of  accomplishing  this  very  desirable  result 
are  as  various  as  the  causes  which  occasion  the  derangements.  If 
it  be  evident  (as  the  bone  disorder  theorists  contend)  that  the 
animal  organism,  in  such  cases,  is  deficient  in  phosphate  of  lime, 
I  have  no  objection  to  offer  against  the  popular  custom  of  giving 
the  patient  a  few  doses  of  bone  meal ;  for,  whenever  there  shall 
l>e  a  deficiency  of  carbon  in  the  system,  bone  meal  may  be  useful 
in  supporting  pulmonary  combustion,  and  thus  insure  healthy 
action  of  the  organs  and  functions  of  the  animal  economy ;  yet  I 
would  suggest  to  the  intelligent  reader  that  as  bruised  oats,  ground 
corn,  and  linseed  meal  contain  a  large  amount  of  phosphates,  they 
should  be  selected  in  preference  to  bone  meal,  which  I  think  ia 


174 


DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 


more  valuable  as  a  remedial  agent  for  a  carnivorous  than  for  a 
herbivorous  animal. 

As  I  understand  the  complex  theory  of  digestion,  the  value  of 
food  or  remedial  agents  is  in  exact  ratio  to  their  adaptation  for 
assimilation ;  so  that  if  their  elements  are  only  held  in  union  by 
an  uncomplex  chemical  affinity,  as  is  the  case  with  all  vegetable 
productions  known  as  food,  their  solution  is  easily  and  promptly 
effected  by  the  ordinary  process  of  insalivation,  mastication,  and 
remastication ;  but  bone  meal  (a  popular  remedy)  is  actually  an 
animal  production,  (vegetable  matter  animalized,)  and,  in  order 
to  convert  the  same  into  the  component  parts  of  the  cow's  struc- 
ture, it  will  perhaps  require  more  chemico-vital  force  to  effect  the 
solution  than  when  oatmeal,  etc.,  are  used,  the  chemical  affinity 


PELTI8  AND  BtB»  DISEASED  AND  DISTOBTBO. 


here  being  weaker  than  is  the  case  with  bones.  In  the  treatment 
of  any  and  every  disease,  it  is  usual  to  endeavor  to  ascertain  the 
direct  causes,  and,  if  possible,  effect  their  removal,  and  whatever 
seems  to  be  indicated  we  are  justified  in  supplying;  so  that  if 
phosphates  are  indicated,  they  may  be  prescribed  ;  yet  in  eases  of 
emaciation,  when  weakness  and  debility  preside,  I  should  prefer 
to  use  nutritious  food,  tonics,  and  stimulants,  instead  of  bone 
meal.  Why  not  add  the  bone  meal  to  the  barnyard  manure? 
In  this  way  the  animal  would  get  the  benefit  of  it  in  the  form  of 
fodder. 

In  reference  to  a  deficiency  of  phosphate  of  lime  in  the  milk. 
which  the  writers  alluded  to  have  noticed,  I  remark  that  it  may, 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BO.TES.  175 

in  part,  arise  from  functional  derangement  in  the  digestive  orgt^na 
(in  sueli  cases  a  large  quantity  of  phosphate,  etc.,  is  expelled  from 
the  system  in  the  excrement) ;  or  the  fodder  itself  may  be  deficient 
in  its  usual  yield  of  phosphate  of  lime.  AVe  then  have  an  evi- 
dence of  vegetable  disease,  for  I  believe  that  the  phosphate  of  lime 
is  as  necessary  for  the  growth  and  integrity  of  the  plant  as  it 
seems  to  be  for  the  same  purposes  in  the  animal  kingdom.  But  I 
believe  that  the  plant  can  not  lack  phosphates  without  there  being 
a  corresponding  deficiency  in  several  other  constituents  which  go 
to  form  the  healthy  vegetable ;  so  that,  in  such  cases  the  disease  is 
general,  not  local.  The  plant  is  not  fiber-sick  nor  the  cow  bone- 
sick,  but,  in  both  cases,  (the  food  of  each  being  innutritions,)  de- 
bility is  the  disease. 

It  is  well  known  that  successive  cultivation  exhausts  the  soil, 
and  uses  up  the  constituents  necessi,iry  for  the  growth  and  maturity 
of  grains  and  fodder;  yet  the  pastures  and  plowed  land  might  be 
made  to  yield  good  crops  and  rich  harvests  by  depositing  in  thf 
soil  (in  the  form  of  animal  excrement,  straw,  wood,  ashes,  lime, 
charcoal,  etc.,)  as  much  as  we  take  out  of  it.  The  soil  can  not 
create  any  thing  of  itself;  therefore  an  increase  in  crops  can  only 
be  obtained  by  adding  more  of  certain  agents  to  the  soil  than  we 
take  out  of  it. 

"  In  Flanders  the  yearly  loss  of  the  necessary  matters  in  the 
soil  is  completely  restored  by  covering  the  fields  with  ashes  of 
wood  or  bones,  which  may  or  may  not  have  been  lixiviated.  The 
great  importance  of  manuring  with  ashes  has  been  long  recog- 
nized by  agriculturists  as  the  result  of  experience.  So  great  a 
value,  indeed,  is  attached  to  this  material,  in  the  vicinity  of  Mar- 
burg and  in  the  "Wetterau,  (two  well-known  agricultural  districts,) 
that  it  is  transported,  as  a  manure,  from  the  distance  of  eighteen 
or  twenty-four  miles.  Its  use  will  be  at  once  perceived,  when  it 
is  considered  that  the  ashes,  after  being  washed  with  water,  con- 
tain silicate  of  potash  exactly  in  the  same  proportion  as  in  the 
straw,  and  that  their  only  other  constituents  are  salts  of  phos- 
phoric acid." 

It  is  a  fact  well-known  to  husbandmen,  that  some  breeding 
cows  do  not  come  up  to  the  standard  of  health  or  fair  condition, 
although  they  are  fed  from  the  cream  of  the  crib,  on  the  best  kind 
of  fodder.  The  inference  is  that  the  digestive  organs  are  not  in 
working  condition :  therefore,  io  such  cases,  the  food  operates  as 


176  DADD'.   VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

au  exciting  cause  of  disease.  '  The  effects  of  cheap  and  damagt»i 
food  are  too  well  known.  Poor  fond  is  dear  at  any  price  whicb 
may  be  asked  for  it.  It  may  not  furnish  sufficient  carbon ;  if  so^ 
the  animal  is  deprived  of  the  power  of  reproducing;  itself,  and 
must,  eventually,  suffer. 

Mecuanism  and  Structure  of  Bones. 

Bones  have  many  things  in  common  with  the  soft  tissues  and. 
organs;  for  example,  arteries,  veins,  nerves,  lymphatics,  and  a 
connecting  cellular  web.  Iheir  structure,  in  the  embryotic  state^ 
is  highly  vascular,  yielding,  and  gelatinous.  They  have  exter- 
nally a  fibrous  investment,  known  as  periosteum,  which  is  well 
supplied  with  arteries,  veins,  nerves,  and  absorbents;  and  it  is 
through  the  intervention  of  this  fibrous  tunic  that  the  vessels 
proper  to  bones  reach  their  ultimate  destination.  On  the  interior 
surface  of  hollow  bones  we  find  a  membrane  of  similar  structure, 
only  more  delicately  organized.  The  cavity  of  the  shaft-bones  ia 
usually  occupied  by  a  quantity  of  adipose  matter,  known  as  mar- 
row. This  is  inclosed  in  laminated  cells,  and  is  supposed  to  be  a 
sort  of  aliment  in  reserve,  to  provide  against  accidental  emer- 
gencies of  non-nutrition. 

Composition  of  Bones. 

Bones  consist  of  two  constituents;  namely,  animal  basis  and  cal- 

^reous  matter.    In  the  healthy  adult  the  proporrions  are  as  follows  s 

Animal  matter 33J  per  cent. 

Calcareous  maXter 66|     "      '• 

Total 100 


Ultimate  Constituents  of  Bones. 

The  ultimate  constituents  of  bones  are  gelatine,  animal  matter, 
carbonate,  phosphate,  and  fluate  of  lime,  jJiosphates  of  soda,  and 
magnesia.  Their  growth,  like  that  of  shells,  is  effected  by  the 
addition  of  new  tissues  to  that  already  formed.  Bones  which  have 
a  central  cavity  are  protected  internally  by  cartilaginous  fibers  or 
unions;  hence  they  expand  or  burst  so  soon  as  their  cartilaginous 
braces  are  decomposed  by  a  diseased  condition  of  the  parts. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BO.VES.  17T 


Dilatation  of  the  Jaw  Bones. 

This  disease  seems  to  be  more  j)revalent  among  horses  thau 
cattle.  In  equine  practice  it  is  termed  "big  bead;"  in  bovine 
practice  we  call  it  spina  ventosa  (a  bony  tumor,  in  which  the  in- 
terior of  the  bone  is  absorbed,  leaving  a  mere  shell  of  bone,  divided 
into  cells,  containing  purulent,  cheesy  matter)  ;  but  perhaps  "  di- 
latation of  bone  "  will  give  the  reader  a  better  idea  of  the  character 
of  the  disease  than  any  other  term.  On  inspecting  the  jaw  bones 
of  cattle,  the  subjects  of  dilatation,  we  find  the  greatest  enlarge- 
ment at  the  angle  of  the  lower  jaw.  On  cutting  into  the  same, 
its  cavity  is  occupied  by  a  preparation  resembling  soft  cheese.  On 
removing  this,  it  is  discovered  that  the  cartilaginous  braces  which 
hold  the  sides  of  the  bone  together  are  decomposed;  hence  the 
dilatation.  This  foreign  n^aterial  often  degenerates  into  true 
j)us,  and  burrows  through  the  bones  toward  the  surface.  In 
this  condition  a  fluctuating  tumor  can  be  felt  at  the  angle  of  the 
jaw. 

Sometimes  the  bones  of  the  jaw  appear  to  have  lost  their  cohesive 
firmness  and  vitality ;  they  then  border  on  a  state  known  as  ne- 
crosis. Now,  if  a  portion  of  bone  in  this  condition  be  macerated, 
for  only  a  short  time,  in  a  weak  solution  of  muriatic  acid,  it  can 
be  rolled  up  like  a  piece  of  paper,  showing  that  it  is  deficient  in 
calcareous  matter ;  but  if  it  takes  a  day  or  more  to  put  the  bone 
in  this  condition,  the  experiment  would  not  be  of  much  value,  as 
all  bones  can  be  more  or  less  softened  by  means  of  weak  acids. 

Treatment. — Having  ascertained  that  the  osseous  structure  is  de- 
ficient of  earthy  matter,  and  that  the  animal  matter  preponderates, 
we  are  then  in  possession  of  facts  which  can  be  used  to  great  ad- 
vantage in  preventing  the  malady,  and  perhaps  treating  it  in  its 
early  stage.  The  remedies  are  phosphate  of  lime,  vegetable  tonics, 
and  stimulants.     I  use  them  in  tlip  following  form : 

Phosphate  of  lime    6  oz. 

Powdered  golden  -^eal 2  oz. 

Powdered   sassafras    3  oz. 

Powdered  ginger 2  oz. 

Uatraeal 4  lbs.      • 

Mix. 

This  is  to  be  divided  i  \io  sixteen  parts,  one  of  which  may  be 
inoorporated  with  the  food  every  night.     I  recommend  the  medi- 
12 


173  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

cine  in  this  form  because  it  is  calculated  to  give  tone  to  the  funo- 
tion  of  nutrition. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  maintenance  of  the  functions  of  ani- 
mal life  are  almost  entirely  dependent  on  the  due  performance  of 
the  nutritive  operations,  and,  therefore,  the  integrity  and  properties 
of  all  the  hard  as  well  as  the  soft  tissues  depend  on  their  regular 
nutrition  by  a  due  supply  of  perfectly  elaborated  blood.  This  c^an 
not  be  effected  unless  the  functions  of  circulation,  respiration,  an  J 
secretion  are  performed  with  regularity.  Circulation  is  necessary 
to  convey  a  supply  of  nutritious  fluid,  and  respiration  and  secretion 
separate  the  blood  from  its  impurities.  Therefore,  in  cases  of  this 
character,  I  advise  stock-owners  to  endeavor  to  improve  the  gen- 
eral health  of  the  patient  by  means  just  suggested,  and  also  that 
they  should  see  that  the  animal  gets  that  kind  of  food  which  i^ 
rich  in  phosphates. 

It  is  very  difficult  to  define  the  causes  of  this  disease.  It  may 
originate  in  a  peculiar  morbid  habit  of  body,  or  it  may  be  the  se- 
quence of  faulty  nutrition  or  hereditary  predisposition.  When  an 
animal  labors  under  any  morbid  habit  of  body  he  is  in  a  state  far 
removed  from  that  of  health,  and  various  parts  of  the  body  be- 
come affected  by  the  change ;  and  even  should  the  power  of  form- 
ing good  healthy  blood  remain,  the  organic  force  by  which  the 
constituents  of  blood  are  transformed  into  osseous  structure  must 
necessarily  be  enfeebled  by  the  morbid  habit,  so  that  the  power  to 
produce  metamorphoses  is  necessarily  diminished.  It  is  my  opinion 
that  big  head  usually  commences  in  the  fibrous  tissues  which  are 
found  in  the  internal  surface  of  bones.  A  very  peculiar  feature 
of  these  fibrous  tunics  is,  that  when  they  once  become  diseased 
they  run  rapidly  to  purulency ;  and  this  accounts  for  the  large 
amount  of  purulent  matter  often  found  in  the  cavities  of  Jaw  bonea 
when  buried  or  exposed  to  a  drying  process.-  It  is  then,  however, 
in  a  spongy  state. 

A  veiy  distinguished  French  writer  contends  that  "fit  re  us 
funics  or  tissues  hardly  ever  contribute  to  the  formation  of  pus." 
This  is  evidently  an  error;  for  when  the  periosteum  (covering  of 
bones),  which  covers  the  fang  of  a  tooth,  and  gives  a  lining  to  the 
cavity  into  which  it  is  inserted,  becomes  inflamed,  it  suppurates, 
and  the  tooth  has  to  be  removed.  I  contend  that  it  is  the  most 
common  tissue  that  excites  the  flow  of  those  exudations  from  arte- 
rial capillaries,  which  becomes  converted  into  pus;  henoe,  in  this 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BONES.  179 

way  1  account  for  the  collections  of  pus  often  found  on  and  undef 
fibrous  ligamentary  tissues  and  coverings  of  muscles ;  also  upon 
and  beneath  the  peritoseum,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  fibrous  tissues 
in  other  parts  of  the  system. 

The  surgical  treatment  of  a  case  of  this  kind  is  to  liberate  the 
pent-up  pus  or  matter.  With  this  object  in  view,  I  cast  the  subject, 
and,  after  having  brought  him  under  the  influence  of  ether,  I  make 
an  incision  through  the  integuments,  etc.,  and  expose  the  bone; 
then,  by  means  of  a  pair  of  common  bone  forceps,  I  make  an 
opening  into  the  same,  liberate  the  imprisoned  matter,  and  inject 
the  cavity  with  pyroligneous  acid.  Having  removed  as  much  as 
possible  of  the  morbid  matter,  I  then  cram  the  cavity  with  equal 
parts  of  powdered  bloodroot  and  bayberry  bark.  The  external 
wound  must  not  be  closed  by  suture,  but  left  open,  so  as  to  allow 
of  a  free  discharge  from  the  parts ;  for  the  healing  process  must 
begin  at  the  upper  part  of  the  cavity,  and  the  integument  should 
be  the  las*  to  heal.  I  continue  to  throw  into  the  cavity,  by  means 
of  a  glass  syringe,  a  small  quantity  of  pyroligneous  acid  daily, 
until  the  discharge  ceases.  Then  the  parts  are  to  be  dressed  with 
common  tincture  of  aloes.  After  an  operation  of  this  character 
there  will  remain  some  enlargement  of  the  tissual  structures  about 
the  parts.  This  can  gradually  be  reduced  by  a  few  applications  of 
a  portion  of  the  following  : 

Iodide  of  potassium 1   dr. 

Glycerine 1  oz. 

Mix,  and  keep  the  preparation  in  a  glass  vial,  well  corked. 


Abscess  beneath  the  Periosteum,  at  the  angle  of 
THE  Jaw. 

This  is  a  very  frequent  and  formidable  disease  among  cattle, 
and  is  ofttimes  occasioned  by  blows  inflicted  purposely  or  acci- 
dentally on  a  region  known  as  the  angle  of  the  jaw.  It  is  a 
formidable  disease^  because  it  frequently  ends  in  caries  or  ulcera- 
tion of  the  jaw-bone. 

Symptoms. — It  originates  in  an  inflammatory  condition  of  the 
periosteum,  accompanied  by  a  gradual  enlargement  at  the  angle 
of  the  jaw.  It  is  very  painful,  the  animal  being  very  unwilling 
to  have  the  part  handled.     The  pain  is  occasioned  bv  distension 


180  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  bDRGERY. 

cf  the  periosteum,  and  this  is  sometimes  found  to  be  indurated  or 
thickened.  The  animal  does  not  eat  as  well  as  usual,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  pain  occasioned  by  the  act  of  mastication,  and  ne 
generally  labors  under  some  degree,  more  or  less  severe,  of  febrile 
excitement.  Ordinarily  it  is  a  very  easy  matter  to  detect  the  pres- 
ence of  pus  in  any  of  the  superficial  legions;  but  in  this,  located 
directly  on  the  bone,  and  covered  by  a  fibrous  membrane  which 
only  admits  of  a  limited  amount  of  distension,  it  is  very  difficul  t 
for  an  unskillful  person  to  discover  it ;  yet,  if  the  above  symptom?^ 
are  observed,  I  should  decide  that  there  is  pus  beneath  the  perios- 
teum. 

Treatment. — No  treatment  is  of  any  advantage  except  that  of 
making  a  free  opening  through  the  skin,  muscle,  and  periosteum, 
and  thus  insuring  a  complete  discharge  of  the  morbid  matter; 
and  the  sooner  this  is  done  the  better,  for  it  will  relieve  the  ani- 
mal of  much  suffering  and  prevent  ulceration  of  the  jaw-bone. 
Very  little  after-treatment  is  required.  It  is  only  necessary  to 
cleanse  the  part  daily,  and  dress  with  tincture  of  matico. 

Exostosis,  or  deposit  of  Calcareous  Matter  on  the 
surface  of  bones. 

Exostosis  signifies  an  unnatural  growth  of  bone,  or  deposit  oi* 
calcareous  matter  on  the  surface  of  bones.  Among  horses  thi* 
disease  occurs  in  the  form  of  splent,  spavin,  and  ring-bone.  It 
is  very  seldom  that  cattle  are  treated  for  this  affection ;  for  th'* 
deformity  is  so  slight,  and  the  lameness  so  obscure,  in  consequen(3it 
of  the  slow  motions  of  the  animal,  that  very  little  notice  is  taken 
of  it. 

TrecUment. — The  proper  mode  of  treatment  is  to  apply,  daily, 
a  small  quantity  of  iodide  of  glycerine,  prepared  as  follows : 

Iodine 1  dr. 

Glycerine 1  oz. 

Mix. 

Apply  by  means  of  a  small  piece  of  sponge.  This  is  to  be 
applied  daily  for  a  period  of  two  weeks,  after  which  use  aoetio 
acid,  one  part ;  water,  six  parts.  With  a  portion  of  this  gponga 
the  enlargement  until  pain  and  lameness  disappear. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BONES.  181 


Caeies,  or  Ulceration  op  Bones. 

This  is  a  very  common  disease  among  cattle,  and  is  preceded  by 
inflammation  and  suppuration.  It  sometimes  proceeds  from  a  blow 
received  at  the  angle  of  the  jaw;  generally,  however,  it  is  a  con- 
stitutional disease  of  a  malignant  character. 

Treatment. — In  the  first  stages  of  this  disease,  the  part  being  hot. 
painful,  and  tender,  I  should  foment  with  warm  vinegar,  which 
will  tend  to  hasten  suppuration;  then,  having  ascertained  that 
(here  is  some  pus  or  matter  locally  imprisoned,  the  part  must  be 
freely  punctured,  the  pus  evacuated,  and  the  cavity  injected  wi-tt 
pure  pyroligneous  acid.  Supposing,  or  rather  suspecting,  the  dis- 
ease to  be  constitutional,  I  should  administer  the  following : 

Iodide  of  potassium 1  oz. 

Glycerine 4  oz. 

Tincture  of  golden  seal 2  oz. 

Water 2  qts. 

Mix. 

The  dose  is  one-sixteenth  part  of  the  above  quantity,  to  be  ad- 
ministered daily. 


Preliminary  to  Horn-ail. 

Many  very  valuable  animals  die  prematurely,  under  treatment, 
in  consequeme  of  mistaking  symptoms  for  the  disease.  Before  I 
discuss  horn-ail,  I  propose  to  offer  a  few  brief  remarks  on  the 
eubject  of  sympathy,  so  that  the  non-professional  reader  may  be 
prepared  to  comprehend  the  why  and  wherefore  of  sympathetic 
diseases,  as  they  occur  in  neat  stock  during  the  progress  of  pri- 
mary affections. 

On  Sympathy  and  the  Sympathetic  Relations  which 
Exist  in  the  Animal  Economy. 

The  animal  structures  are  so  .sympathetically  related  to  each 
ether,  and  so  dependent  are  various  organs  and  functions  on  an 
equilibrium  of  vital  action,  based  on  the  law  of  sympathy,  that 
the  animal  economy,  as  a  whole,  may  be  said  to  compose  a  va.<«t. 
machine,  the  integrity  of  which  depends  on  the  free  and  full  play 
of  all  parts  composing  it.«  intricate  mechanism.     The  media  bv 


18i  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SiTRGEKl 

■which  sympathy  is  aroused  and  maintained  are  the  nerves.  These 
originate  from  the  brain  and  medulla  spinalis,  or  spinal  mfirrow. 
Ten  pairs  of  nerves  radiate  directly  from  the  brain,  termed  cere- 
bral; thirty-nine  pairs  from  the  spinal  marrow,  termed  spinal. 
They  are  named  after  that  of  the  region  in  which  they  are  fcund, 
hence  we  have  seven  pairs  of  nerves  issuing  from  the  cei-vical 
region  (neck),  eighteen  from  the  dorsal  (back),  five  from  the  lum- 
bar region,  and  five  sacral,  within  the  pelvis,  four  coccygeal — 
making,  in  all,  forty-nine  pairs  cerebro-spinal  nerves.  They  are 
distributed  from  each  side  of  the  spine  to  various  parts  of  the 
body,  and  their  terminations  are  called  "  sentient,"  this  being  the 
seat  of  sensation. 

The  most  important  nerve,  however,  for  our  consideration,  is 
the  sympathetic.  It  is  supposed  by  some  writers  to  be  in  itself  a 
complete  nervous  system.  It  originates  in  a  branch  issuing  from 
the  base  of  the  brain,  and  communicates  with  every  other  nervous 
filament  of  the  body.  The  connection  takes  place  in  the  follow- 
ing manner:  The  sympathetic  nerve  has,  at  various  points,  a 
number  of  gangliform  plexuses.  From  these  thread-like  fila- 
ments arise,  which  radiate  and  connect  with  similar  ganglions 
found  on  the  cerebral  and  spinal  nerves.  On  these  divergent  fila- 
ments we  have  other  ganglionic  structures,  which  send  branches 
to  the  liver,  spleen,  kidneys,  etc.  The  sympathetic  nerves  of  one 
side  amalgamate  with  those  of  the  opposite,  and  this  is  their  mode 
of  communication.  The  nerves  of  the  sympathetic  system  possess* 
a  certain  degree  of  power  in  exciting  muscular  contractions,  as 
well  as  sympathetic  actions,  in  the  various  parts  to  which  they  are 
distributed.  Carpenter  has  observed  that,  by  "irritating  a 
branch  of  the  sympathetic  nerve,  immediately  after  the  death  of 
an  animal,  contractions  may  be  excited  in  any  part  of  the  alimen 
tary  canal  from  the  pharynx  to  the  rectum,  according  to  the 
trunks  which  are  irritated ;  in  the  heart,  after  its  ordinary  move- 
ments liave  ceased ;  in  the  aorta,  vena  cava,  and  thoracic  duct ;  in 
the  ductus  choledochus,  uterus,  fallopian  tubes,  vas  deferens,  aod 
vesiculse  seminales,  etc.  It  is  probable  that  the  sympatheiio 
system  not  only  thus  brings  the  organic  functions  into  relation 
with  the  animal,  but  that  it  also  tends  to  harmonize  the  former 
with  each  other,  so  as  to  bring  the  various  acts  of  secretioU;  nutri- 
tion, etc.,  into  mutual  conformity." 

There  are  several  orders  of  sympathetic  nerves.     Some   pas9 


Diseases  of  the  bones.  183 

into  the  parenchyma  of  the  organic  viscera,  ancJ  others  are  dis- 
tributed on  the  outer  coats  of  arteries,  continuing,  throughout 
their  minute  capillary  structures,  into  the  papillae.  By  this  ar- 
rangement the  harmony  between  the  internal,  external,  an-d  remote 
parts  is  perpetuated. 

Correct  knowledge  regarding  the  sympathetic  relations  peculiar 
to  animal  organization  seems  absolutely  necessary,  in  order  to 
oorroct  the  erroneous  impressions  that  some  persons  have  formed 
of  the  nature  and  seat  of  disease  incidental  to  horses  and  cattle, 
and,  in  this  view,  I  offer  these  preliminary  remarks  as  introduc- 
tory to  the  subjects  of  "horn  and  tail-ails"  (imaginary  diseases, 
which  oftentimes,  perhaps  always,  are  the  result  of  a  fertile  im- 
agination, or,  rather,  a  sequence  of  that  faulty  mode  of  reasoning 
which  confounds  effects  with  causes).  Any  person  conversant 
with  the  sympathetic  relations  existing  in  the  animal  economy, 
oan  readily  discover  the  difference  between  a  pathological  condi- 
tion and  the  local  or  general  symptoms  which  usually  accompany 
it.  An  animal,  for  example,  is  attacked  with  acute  disease  of  the 
liver.  He  evinces  signs  of  pain  from  pressure  on  the  right  or 
off  side,  in  the  region  of  the  liver,  and,  possibly,  the  lameness  is 
of  so  grave  a  character  as  to  mislead  the  non-medical  observer, 
and  he  necessarily  concludes  that  the  subject  is  lame,  "and  noth- 
ing more."  He  prescribes  an  external  remedy,  accordingly,  which 
is  neither  calculated  to  cure  nor  palliate  the  liver  difficulty.  Thus, 
for  want  of  the  necessary  knowledge,  the  symptoms  are  mistaken 
for  the  disease. 

In  derangement  of  the  digestive  organs,  more  particularly  of 
the  stomach,  the  brain  is  usually  sympathetically  affected.  The 
symptoms  of  disturbance  in  that  organ,  or  its  functions,  may 
escape  the  attention  of  the  "cow-leach,"  yet  they  are  always 
present,  and  range  from  what  has  been  observed  as  "dullness" 
up  to  somnolency,  accompanied  by  other  morbid  phenomena  well 
undci stood  by  the  physician.  A  knowledge  of  these  and  other 
tjympathetic  relations  existing  throughout  the  animal  economy, 
enables  us  to  understand  what  occasions  vomiting  in  a  man  when 
a  blow  of  sufficient  force  is  received  on  the  skull.  The  blow 
arouses  a  certain  set  of  involuntary  operations  which  the  subject 
»5  unable  to  control,  as  in  the  cases  of  vomiting,  etc.  It  explaino, 
also,  why  giddiness  or  vertiginous  symptoms  usually  follow  when 
a  blow  is  received  on  the  region  of  tlie  stomach ;  how  the  impreg- 


184  DADDfe  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGEKi. 

uated  uterus  influences  the  inammse  and  stomacL,  causing  increase 
of  function  and  volume  in  the  former,  and  morning  nausea  in  the 
latter ;  how  a  diseased  condition  of  the  internal  mucous  membrane 
reacts  on  the  common  integument,  and  vice  versa.  Even  in  the 
osseous  structures  the  law  of  sympathy  prevails.  A  disease  in 
the  ui)per  extremity  of  the  bone  gives  rise  to  sympathetic  pain  at 
the  opposite  extremity.  And  as  regards  the  muscles  and  tendons, 
there  exists  a  very  marked  sympathy,  although  in  the  mind  of 
pathologists  this  is  not  strange,  for,  anatomically  considered,  the 
tendons  are  neither  more  nor  less  than  tendinous  terminations  of 
muscles.  Puncture  of  a  tendon  is  often  followed  by  great  de- 
rangement of  the  nervous  system,  and  other  pathological  condi- 
tions, not  unfrequently  ending  in  trismus  (lock-jaw.)  This  is 
owing  to  the  same  law  of  sympathetic  association  just  alluded  to. 
There  is,  therefore,  a  tendency  in  certain  organs  to  become  de- 
ranged or  diseased  in  consequence  of  a  malady  locating  in  others 
although  they  may  not  always  be  identical  in  function. 

Horn-ail. 

Persons  who  are  in  the  habit  of  prescribing  for  sick  brutes,  and 
have  never  made  themselves  acquainted  with  the  sympathetic 
relations  existing  in  the  animal  economy,  to  which  I  have  re- 
ferred, are  liable  to  commit  errors  in  diagnosing  disease,  and, 
when  questioned  regarding  the  seat  of  the  same,  their  opinion 
generally  is  that  the  suffering  animal  has  either  the  horn-ail  or 
teil-ail.  The  idea,  in  almost  all  cases,  is  so  supremely  absurd, 
iihett,  if  any  thing  other  than  a  living  animal  were  the  subject  of 
tlie  barbarities  which,  according  to  mistaken  notions  of  cure,  are 
sure  to  follow,  I  should  feel  disposed  to  burlesque  the  whole  pro- 
cedure regarding  both  horn-ail  and  its  treatment.  In  my  opinion, 
horn-ail,  in  ninety-nine  cases  out  of  one  hundred,  exists  only  in 
the  imagination  of  those  persons  who  allow  error  to  overcome 
their  better  judgment,  or  else  they  have  not  given  the  subject  a 
passing  thought ;  therefore,  they  are  incompetent  to  even  guess  at 
the  true  nature  of  the  malady  with  any  chances  of  correctness. 
]^o  allusion,  that  I  am  aware  of,  has  ever  been  made  by  the 
authors  of  standard  works  or  text-books  on  veterinary  science,  to 
horn-ail ;  and  if  educated  veterinary  surgeons  were  as  numerous 
heie  as  in  England  or  France,  and  they  had  the  same  means  tc 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BONES.  185 

reacli  the  ears  and  the  understandings  of  our  husbandmen,  the 
latter  would  soon  be  convinced  of  the  absurdity  which  is  here 
described,  and,  consequently,  be  induced  to  protect  their  animals 
from  that  species  of  cruel  quackery  or  ignorance  which  would 
refer  all  their  aches  and  diseases  to  horns  or  tails,  and  which  sanc- 
tions the  boring  of  the  former,  and  curtailing  or  docking  the 
latter, 

Tl'"  patnological  conditions  on  which  the  absurd  theory  of 
liorn-ail  seems  to  be  founded  are  heat  or  coldness  of  the  horns. 
These  are  the  principal,  and,  in  fact,  only  symptoms  which  the 
unlearned  expounders  of  a  popular  malady  have  given  us;  bat 
every  one  ought  to  be  aware  that  variations  in  the  temperature 
of  a  part  so  inferiorly  organized  as  the  horns  are  is  no  criterion 
as  regards  the  nature  of  the  disease  which  occasions,  in  this 
vicinity,  merely  an  increase  or  decrease  of  temperature.  The 
actual  disease  which  occasions  a  loss  or  increase  of  temperature  of 
the  external  surface  of  the  body,  horns  included,  may  be,  and 
often  is.  located  in  either  the  brain,  stomach,  or  bowels,  and  at 
other  times  is  the  result  of  local  congestions  of  the  lungs  and  other 
parts — mere  effects — the  results  of  preexisting  disease ;  therefore, 
I  contend  that  the  term  horn-ail,  when  used  to  express  the  con- 
dition of  parts  sympathetically  affected  or  aroused,  throws  no 
light  *on  the  true  nature  of  the  disease  under  which  the  animal 
labors. 

I  shall  contend  that  neither  the  augmentation  nor  decrease  in 
the  temperature  of  the  horns  constitutes  actual  disease  of  the  same, 
tut  may  indicate  a  loss  of  equilibrium  in  the  circulation  of  blood. 
J  f  tlie  horns  are  at  fever-heat,  and  the  surface  of  the  body  be  cool, 
we  know  that  the  brain  or  its  membranes  may  be  actively  or 
passively  congested.  On  the  other  hand,  should  the  liorns  and 
the  extremities  be  cold,  it  goes  to  prove  that  the  animal  is  the  sul> 
ject  of  internal  congestion  ur  ilisease.  But  why  locate  it  in  th« 
liorns,  when  in  the  animal  economy  are  found  so  many  hundred 
parts,  sections,  and  divisions  of  parts,  more  important,  sensitive, 
and  of  vastly  more  consequence  to  the  preservation  of  vital  integ- 
rity, than  the  horns  ?  The  variations  in  the  temperature  of  the 
horns  and  other  parts  of  the  body,  which  the  horn-ail  tlieorists 
neglect  to  notice,  enter  into  a  class  of  symptoms  from  and  by  means 
of  which  an  educated  surgeon  makes  up  an  intelligent  and  correct 
diagnosis,  and,  consequently,  are  only  of  value,  in  point  of  fact,  in 


J»b  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

SO  fai  as  they  go  to  show  the  actual  state  of  the  whole  anima) 
mechanism.  The  proposition  admits  of  the  following  appropriate 
and  convincing  illustration  :  A  man  is  attacked  with  acute  disease 
of  the  liver,  and  almost  always  experiences  a  pain  in  the  right 
shoulder,  a  purely  sympathetic  affection.  Now,  it  would  be  very 
ridiculous  for  a  physician  to  overlook  the  diseased  condition  of  the 
liver,  and  merely  prescribe  for  the  sympathetic  shoulder-lameness, 
and  call  it  "  shoulder-ail."  Such  ignorance  is  calamitous,  but  does 
not  often  occur  when  the  educated  physician  is  employed ;  otherwise 
it  does,  and  many  such  cases  are  quite  fresh  in  my  memory.  Now, 
instead  of  prescribing  local  agents,  as  some  have  done,  in  view  of 
mitigating  sympathetic  local  pain,  would  it  not  be  more  in  accord- 
ance with  reason  and  science  to  administer  medicinal  agents,  such 
as  are  calculated  to  restore  the  liver  to  a  natural  physiological  con- 
dition ?  A  man  who  thus  ignorantly  prescribes  falls  into  the  same 
error  with  him  who  would  refer  all  diseases  of  neat  stock  to  their 
horns  or  tails,  merely  because  the  parts  are  not  in  their  natural 
physiological  condition,  owing,  as  I  have  said,  to  actual  disease 
seated  elsewhere.  Thus  the  symptoms  are  mistaken  for  the  dis- 
ease, and  the  treatment,  in  so  far  as  boring,  sawing  off  horns,  and 
curtailing  the  caudal  appendage  is  concerned,  is  highly  injurious, 
barbarous,  and,  in  these  enlightened  times,  deplorable. 

It  requires  no  argument  to  convince  many  men  that  horn-ail  is 
a  very  prevalent  disease,  for  the  false  doctrine  has  been  promul- 
gated, and  has  received  attention  from  men  whose  domains  extend 
from  Maine  to  California.  The  error  has  been  sown  broadcast, 
and  has  acquired  such  hold  on  the  minds  of  some  that  it  will  take 
many  years  to  root  out  the  evil.  One  writer  on  this  subject,  be- 
lieving that  horn-ail  is  a  sort  of  national  disease,  recommends  the 
barn-yard  faculty  (for  no  regular  physician  will  heed  his  advice) 
to  carry  gimlets  in  their  pockets,  so  that  they  may  be  armed  and 
equipped  to  encounter  and  subdue  that  which  is  more  imaginary 
than  real. 

I  have  made  examinations  of  the  bodies  of  cattle,  subsequent  lo 
death,  said  to  have  died  of  horn-ail.  Among  them  were  evideni 
traces  of  softening  of  the  brain ;  and  this  is  a  feature  of  disease 
very  often  present,  as  I  shall  attempt  to  show,  in  many  of  the  so- 
called  cases  of  horn-ail.  Softening  of  the  brain  is  a  disease  of  so 
grave  a  character,  that  any  morbid  symptoms  att^snding  the  sam**, 
as  Wal  heat  or  coldness  of  boms,  might  compare  in  the  ratio  of  a 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BONES.  187 

mole-hill  placed  licside  a  mountain.  Softening  of  the  brain  is 
the  ultimatum  of  a  grave  disease  occurring  in  that  organ ;  and  if 
the  owners  of  live  stock  are  disposed  to  believe  that  horn  diffi- 
culty is  the  most  preponderant  and  alarming,  and  they  can  sleep 
soundly  in  the  belief  that  no  danger  threatens,  then,  "  If  igno- 
rance is  bliss,  't  is  folly  to  be  wise."  I  can  not  indorse  this  sen- 
timent, however;  for,  in  this  day  of  intellectual  maturity,  no  one 
has  a  right  to  be  a  dunce  in  his  chosen  profession,  nor  a  fool,  to 
thwart  the  intentions  of  those  who  would  substitute  light  for 
darkness. 

Softening  of  the  brain  is  always  preceded  by  acute,  and,  subse- 
quently, chronic,  inflammation  of  the  same  or  its  investing  tunics, 
and  constitutes  the  last  stage  of  disease ;  so  that  the  days  of  such 
a  subject  are  numbered,  and  the  man  of  gimlet  and  ignorance, 
armed  with  his  munitions  of  warfare,  treats  the  disease  at  long 
odds.  He  pockets  the  fees  bat  loses  the  case.  His  patient,  on 
which  a  too  confiding  owner  has  foolishly  permitted  him  to  prac- 
tice his  cruelty  and  legerdemain,  dies,  and  he  knows  not  the  why 
nor  the  wherefore. 

But,  in  order  to  convince  the  reader  of  the  follies  of  the  above 
practice,  I  offer  the  following  illustration,  from  a  reliable  source. 
The  case  was  diagnosed  and  treated  as  horn-ail.  I  quote  from  the 
*'  Southern  Planter : " 

"  After  death,  examined  the  head.  Crest  between  horns  per- 
fectly hollow.  All  the  little  divisions  and  offshoots  of  bone  which 
are  usually  found  in  the  cavity  were  removed,  in  a  greater  or  less 
degree,  and  there  were  only  the  white  of  egg  matter  and  pus.  The 
horns,  also,  entirely  hollow ;  one  of  them  filled  with  nearly  a  pint 
of  lymphy  and  purulent  matter.  The  cavity  extending  to  the 
orbit  of  the  eye,  thence  communicating  with  the  nostrils,  especially 
on  one  side.  The  brain,  which  lies  in  very  near  contact  with  this 
cavity  of  the  crest  (which  we  may  as  well  call  the  frontal  sinuses), 
was  softened  and  fallen,  in  one  hemisphere,  into  a  thick  mush.  A 
small  part  only  of  this  half  w^as  of  healthy  consistency,  preserving 
its  form  or  vessels  entire.  The  other  half  (hemisphere)  was  not 
softened,  but  the  vessels  were  very  full  of  blood,  and  the  men^- 
branes  exhibited  signs  of  intense  inflammation.  No  other  region 
or  organs  examined." 

In  regard  to  this  quotation  I  remark :  It  is  very  natural  thai 
the  frontal  sinuses  should  be  hollow ,  for,  if  they  were  solid,  the 


188  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

weight  of  the  head  would  be  enormous ;  and  I  can  readily  per- 
ceive the  wisdom  of  the  Divine  Artist  in  thus  adapting  the  -\arta 
for  the  convenience  of  the  animal,  and  relieving  him  of  what,'  had 
it  been  otherwise,  must  have  been  a  burden,  and  would  have  re- 
quired powerful  muscles  to  support  the  head.     The  bones  about 
the  head  are  divided  into  two  plates,  separated  by  numerous  vacui- 
ties or  cells ;  but,  unlike  those  of  the  horse,  they  extend  through 
the  whole  of  the  bone— nay,  penetrate  even  through  the  parietal 
and  occipital  bones.     Hence  it  happens  that  the  frontal  sinuses  (so 
these  cavities  are  called  in  cattle  as  well  as  the  horse)  extend  from 
the  angle  of  the  eye  to  the  very  foramen  through  which  the  brain 
escapes  from  the  skull— nay,  to  the  very  tip  of  the  horn.     Hence 
the  parts  may  be  said  to  be  hollow ;  and  it  is  well  that  every  farmer 
should  know  this,  for  some  suppose  them  solid,  and  are  very  much 
surprised  to  find  them  hollow.     On  making  a  section  of  the  horn, 
from  tip  to  base,  it  will  be  found  partly  hollow,  "having  sinuses 
that  extend  almost  to  its  tip."     The  lymphy  and  purulent  matter 
found  within  the  frontal  sinuses  and  those  of  the  horn,  together 
with  the  softening  of  one  hemisphere  of  the  brain,  proved  that  the 
parts  were  all  involved  in  disease ;  but  then  the  disease  never  had  ita 
origin  in  the  horn.     The  brain,  or  perhaps  its  membranes,  were 
the  primary  seat  of  the  affection,  and,  after  softening,  (decompos- 
ing,) involved  the  surrounding  parts  in  ruin.     "The  other  half 
of  the  brain  was  not  softened,  but  the  vessels  were  full  of  blood, 
and   the  membranes  exhibited  signs  of  intense   inflammation." 
Prol)ably  this  was  the  state  of  affairs  in  the  diseased  hemisphere 
in  its  early  stage,  and  some  physical  impediments  to  the  return  of 
blood  from  the  brain  had  induced  cerebral  appolexy.     The  animal 
was  in  a  plethoric  state,  "  very  fat."     There  was  too  great  redun- 
dancy of  blood— just  the  subject  for  such  disease.     Softening  of 
the  brain,  I  think,  would  be  a  better  designation  of  the  disease 
than  "horn-ail." 

The  editor  of  the  "  Planter,"  in  a  subsequent  number  of  his 
journal,  remarks:  "The  notion  that  this  disease  originates  in  the 
horn  itself  seems  to  us  to  be  an  error,  resulting  from  that  back- 
ward mode  of  reasoning  which  confounds  symptoms  with  disease. 
The  disorder  in  that  organ,  '  the  horn,'  should  rather  seem  to  be 
secondary.  No  less  erroneous  do  we  deem  the  opinion,  held  by 
some,  that  the  horn  becomes  fi-ost-bitten,  and  then  putrifies- 
Though  its  whole  inner  surface  is  exceedingly  vascular,  yet  it  ia 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BONES.  lo^ 

perfectly  protected  by  the  almost  insensible  horny  covering  ia 
which  it  is  cased  throughout,  except  only  a  very  minute  ring  at 
its  base,  whose  pulsations  are  the  most  accurate  index  of  the  pulse  j 
and  that  ring,  hardly  wider  than  a  thread,  can  not  be  affected  by 
cold.  When  it  is  considered  that  the  horn  is  a  sulxstance  of  lower 
vitality  than  the  hoof,  which  never  becomes  frost-bitten,  even 
though  chilled  by  an  iron  shoe,  reason  should  teach  us  that  it  can 
not  be  injured  by  cold." 

A  similar  case  occurred  in  the  experience  of  the  editor  of  the 
"  Planter,"  which  "  ran  to  a  speedy  and  fatal  termination."  Upon 
dissection  of  the  head,  the  left  hemisphere  of  the  brain  was  found 
completely  "  broken  down,"  or  disorganized ;  the  base  of  the  left 
horn  was  slightly  implicated.  The  introduction  of  a  gimlet,  there- 
fore, into  the  horns  of  cattle  thus  affected,  and  afterward  cramming 
in  pepper,  turpentine,  and  other  foreign  bodies,  can  not  possibly 
reach  the  disease  nor  benefit  the  ani^ial,  but  is  apt  to  do  much 
harm ;  for  puncture  of  the  lining  membrane  of  the  frontal  sinuses, 
which'  generally  takes  place  when  the  instrument  is  introduced 
near  the  base  of  the  horn,  is  attended  with  danger,  both  as  regards 
inflammation  and  hemorrhage;  and  it  is  just  as  unwise  to  fill  the 
parts  with  pepper,  turpentine,  etc.,  in  view  of  cure,  as  it  would  be 
if  one  of  our  own  race  were  concerned. 

I  now  Imve  an  impression  that  the  reader,  like  myself,  has 
come  to  the  conclusion  that,  in  the  generality  of  cases  occurring 
among  neat  stock,  the  disease  christened  horn  and  tail-ails,  is  lo- 
cated''elsewhere.  Yet  some  persons  contend  that  the  practice, 
which  I  denominate  as  unscientific  and  barbarous,  saves  some^  of 
the  aflaicted  animals.  I  have  doubts  about  the  treatment  saving 
them.  They  may  survive  it ;  for  it  is  well  known  that  both  men 
and  animals  often  recover  after  an  unfavorable  prognosis  is  made, 
and  they  will  also  survive  very  severe  injuries,  fractures,  punc- 
tures, and  formidable  wounds,  etc. ;  so  that  health  returns,  in  such 
cases,  in  spite  of  the  violence  opposed  to  it.  Hence,  if  an  animal 
should  be  restored  to  health,  after  having  been  compelled  to  sub- 
rait  to  the  fashionable  barbarities  of  horn-boring,  that  is  no  proot 
of  the  utility  of  the  means  used. 

If  we  could  only  collect  all  the  facts  in  the  case  of  an  animal 
said  to  be  the  subject  of  horn-ail,  we  should  probably  discover 
that,  in  four  cases  out  of  five,  the  animal's  stomach  was  the  seat  of 
the  original  difficulty,  for  the  stomach  is  more  frequently  deranged 


[90  DADD'S  VETERINARl   MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

than  any  other  organ  of  tne  body ;  and  it  often  occurs  in  this 
way;  A  man  has  a  cow,  an  ox,  or  a  lot  of  cattle,  which  he  in- 
tends to  briiig  to  market,  in  view  of  exchanging  them  for  dollars 
and  cents.  He  puts  them  through  (as  the  moderns  have  it)  the 
fattening  process,  furnishing  them  with  a  superabundance  of 
carbon,  in  the  form  of  meal  and  other  nitrogenous  equivalents. 
The  result  is  an  accumulation  of  adipose  tissue;  the  animal  be- 
comes fat,  and,  consequently,  plethoric.  The  accumulation  of  fat 
offers  an  impediment  to  the  free  and  full  play  of  the  heart,  lungs, 
and  diaphragm;  and,  should  the  subject  be  a  pregnant  cow,  she 
is  liable,  a  few  hours  after  the  period  of  parturition,  to  be  attacked 
with  milk  or  puerperal  fever,  or  convulsions ;  therefore  the  lia- 
bility to  disease  in  more  important  structures  than  the  horns  is  a 
matter  that  I  seriously  urge  our  itinerant  cattle  doctors  to  consider. 

Neat  stock  are  often  the  subjects  of  catarrh,  (or  "  hoose,"  as  it  is 
termed,)  nasal  gleet,  etc.  la  either  case,  a  profuse  discharge  occurs 
from  the  surface  of  the  nasal  membrane,  extending  to  the  frontal 
sinuses,  up  to  the  very  tip  of  some  horns.  This  is  often  called 
horn-ail,  and  the  gimlet  is  brought  into  requisition,  and,  on  with- 
drawing it,  some  of  the  "  matter  "  may  possibly  escape  from  the 
orifice ;  hence  the  gimlet  is  said  to  do  good.  This  I  deny ;  for 
the  more  rational  way  of  favoring  the  discharge  of  the  matter 
would  be  to  steam  the  nostrils,  and  adopt  such  other  means  as  the 
nature  of  the  case  may  seem  to  require. 

Even  granting  what  some  contend  for — namely,  that  an  abscess 
occasionally  forms  in  one  of  the  nasal  cavities — then  it  would  not 
be  proper  to  bore  the  horns,  for  the  pus  must  necessarily  be  in- 
closed within  a  sac,  which  the  gimlet  may  supture.  Then  the 
morbid  matter  escapes  into  the  frontal  sinuses,  and  is  apt  to  set 
up  diseased  action  on  the  tissue  with  which  it  comes  into  contact. 
If  it  be  ever  necessary  to  puncture  an  abscess  of  this  character,  it 
should  be  done  by  way  of  the  nostrils.  Even  should  the  animal 
labor  under  any  disease  located  within  the  horns,  the  introduction 
of  a  gimlet  would  be  a  very  unsafe  remedy,  as  all  veterinary  sur- 
geons are  ready  to  testify.  It  is  a  dangerous  business  to  puncture 
a  membrane  so  highly  organized  as  that  found  within  the  frontal 
sinuses,*  especially  when  so  rude  an  instrument  as  a  gimlet  Ic 

*  The  gimlet,  before  it  enters  the  lining  membrane  of  the  parts  (termed  , 
■eiineiderian),  must  necessarily  puncture  a  highly  vascular  membrane  (termed 


i^iSEASES  OF  THE  BONES.  191 

used.  The  instrument  must  lacerate  the  parts,  and  inauee  severe 
inflammation  and  suppuration  ;  consequently,  it  is  better  calcu 
lated  to  produce  disease  in  this  region  than  to  cure  one  existing 
there. 

I  have  examined  many  animals  after  their  horns  have  been 
bored,  and  have  always  found  an  undue  degree  of  heat  in  the 
cranial  region ;  throbbing  pulsations  about  the  base  of  the  horn, 
and  a  general  disturbance  of  the  functions ;  sometimes  an  accu- 
mulation of  pus  within  the  cavity.  Then,  again,  internal  hem- 
orrhage, effusion,  etc.,  of  blood,  are  apt  to  occur  after  boring  the 
horns;  and  every  intelligent  physician  would  be  unwilling  to 
incur  the  rislv  attending  it.  Many  a  valuable  animal  has  been 
lost  by  hemorrhage,  following  fracture,  punctur'^,  and  saAving  off 
the  horns. 

Horn-ail  is  said  to  be  so  prevalent  among  neat  stock,  that  the 
farmer  (in  the  imaginative  mood)  fears  it  as  he  would  the  plague. 
And  the. only  remedy  for  this  lamentable  state  of  ignorance  is  for 
farmers  to  use  their  reason,  godlike  and  rational,  and  avail  them- 
selves of  the  experience  of  those  competent  to  diagnose  disease  by 
its  concomitant  and  persistent  symptoms.  We  are  now  in  pos- 
session of  facts  showing  that  the  introduction  of  a  foreign  body 
(a  gimlet)  may  induce  a  formidable  disease;  therefore,  it  should 
never  be  used. 

Among  the  diseases  mistaken  for  horn-ail  I  name  indigestion ; 
and  this  disease  is  almost  as  prevalent  among  neat  stock  as  it 
f  roves  to  be  among  the  members  of  the  human  family  in  this 
country.  Loss  of  cud,  or  a  cessation  of  rumination,  is  one  of  the 
principal  symptoms  of  acute  indigestion.  I  made  an  autopsy,  in  a 
case  of  this  character,  only  a  short  time  ago,  and  found  the  aboma- 
sum,  or  fourth  compartment  of  the  stomach,  enormously  distended 
with  food,  and,  on  removing  the  same,  the  mucous  membrane 
readily  peeled  off.  I  particularly  pointed  out  to  the  owner 
of  the  animal  the  pathological  appearances  as  they  occurred ; 
but,  as  he  had  made  up  his  mind,  and  the  neighbors  confirmed 
his  opinion  that  the  animal  was  the  subject  of  horn-ail,  he  still 
believes  mat  the  trouble  first  commenced  in  the  horns,  which  had 
'^een  bored  in  several  places. 


periosteum),  the  external  covering  of  the  bony  column,  and  inflammatioa 
suppuration  may  be  the  consequeace.  ending;  in  altered  structure. 


192  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

I  am  not  contending  that  the  vascular  membrane  jv^ithin  and 
without  the  osseous  structure  of  the  horns  and  contiguous  parts 
enjoys  immunity  from  disease.  It  is  subject  to  it,  as  are  otlier 
parts,  precisely  identical  in  function  and  structure.  But  I  am 
exposing  a  false  theory,  which  confounds  functional  and  organic 
diseases  with  their  symptoms  or  manifestations. 

A  local  disease  of  the  horns  is  not  unusual.  For  examj  le,  ft 
blow  in  the  region  of  the  base  of  the  horn  often  occasions  a  load 
affection ;  and  this  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  when  we  know  that 
the  parts  in  this  region  are  merely  defended  by  a  thin  cuticular 
envelope,  and,  therefore,  offers  but  little  protection  to  the  subtis- 
sues.  This  region  is  denominated  by  brutal  men  the  "  tender 
spot;"  and,  in  view  of  subduing  a  restive  animal,  they  aim  their 
bludgeons  in  this  direction,  with  terrible  effect.  Local  injuries 
of  this  character,  and  those  occurring  in  the  savage  encounteis 
which  horned  animals  frequently  engage  in,  the  boring  of  their 
horns,  and  sawing  them  off,  etc.,  are  accidents  and  processes  more 
or  less  operative  in  exciting  a  local  affection. 

A  local  disease  of  this  character  admits  of  the  following  dem- 
onstration ;  namely,  percussion.  Percussion  is  the  art  of  striking 
various  parts  of  the  body,  with  a  view  of  ascertaining  the  seat  of 
disease.  Every  substance,  when  thrown  into  sonorous  vibration, 
produces  a  sound  the  tone  of  which  is  peculiar  to  itself,  and  every 
change  which  takes  place  in  the  composition  of  that  substance,  cr 
in  the  arrangement  of  its  component  parts,  is  accompanied  by  a 
corresponding  change  in  its  tone.  If  we  strike  a  solid  body,  it 
emits  a  solid  sound ;  strike  an  empty  one,  and  it  emits  a  hollow 
sound.  In  like  manner,  if  we  strike  a  healthy  horn,  we  get  a 
sound  of  hollowness.  When  the  horn  and  frontal  sinuses  are 
occupied  by  matter,  we  elicit  a  dull  sound,  without  vibration. 
The  difference  between  the  sound  elicited  from  an  empty  barrel 
ttnd  that  from  a  full  one,  or  the  sound  from  a  solid  post  and  that 
from  a  hollow  one,  when  struck  with  a  hammer,  is  not  more  re- 
markable than  in  the  cases  of  healthy  and  diseased  horns.  By 
the  same  means  we  diagnose  diseases  of  the  chest.  We  are,  there- 
fore enabled,  with  absolute  certainty,  to  determine  the  presence  of 
pus  within  the  horns;  and,  keeping  in  view  the  history  of  the 
case,  which  it  is  our  business  to  inquire  into,  we  can  generally  tell 
whether  or  not  such  abscesses  result  from  local  injury  or  disease 
within  the  parts,  or  if  it  be  the  sequence  of  '^ome  other  disease. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BOIS  tS.  1118 

Treaimerd. — In  regard  to  the  treatment  of  an  abscCoS  located  in 
the  region  of  the  base  of  the  horns,  the  proper  method  is  to  tre- 
phine the  skull,  Avhich  operation  can  only  be  pe  rformed  by  a  vet- 
erinary surgeon. 

Tail-ail. 

In  view  of  sustaining  the  respectability  of  veterinary  science  and 
my  own  professional  reputation,  I  would  inform  the  reader  that 
tail-ail  is  an  imaginary  disease,  appearing  only  in  localities  which 
the  apostles  of  true  veterinary  science  have  never  visited.  The 
supposed  affection  is  said  to  induce  partial  or  complete  paralysis 
of  the  hind  extremities,  and,  contrary  to  the  principles  of  science 
and  the  testimony  of  several  veterinary  writers,  this  condition  is 
often  termed  tail-ail.  The  faulty  theory  is,  a  soft  spot  is  found  at 
the  end  of  the  tail,  (this  is  a  feature  of  every  healthy  cow's  tail, 
when  it  has  not  been  docked,)  which  takes  the  strength  out  of  her 
back,  and  produces  paralysis.  The  remedy  is  either  to  amputate 
tlie  caudal  appendage,  or  slit  open  the  soft  spot  and  stuff  in  tar., 
pepper,  salt,  or  whatever  remedy  Neighbor  So-and-so  recommends. 
It  seems  a  pity  that  the  poor  animah  I  am  now  writing  about  can 
not,  like  their  masters,  receive  the  benefits  resulting  from  the  in- 
vestigations of  scientific  men  in  improved  methods  of  treating  dis- 
ease. However,  it  is  gratifjnng  to  know  that  the  errors  of  the 
past  are  fast  "  dying  out,"  and  that  the  days  of  ignorance  are 
numbered. 

The  tail  is  sometimes  the  seat  of  a  local  affecti  )n  arising  from 
blows,  etc.,  or  it  may  be  the  seat  of  a  cutaneous  disease ;  but  neithei 
one  nor  the  other  can  be  of  so  grave  a  character  as  to  produce 
paralysis  of  the  posterior  limbs.  The  soft  extremity  of  the  tail 
may  also  occasionally  become  congested,  or  else  oedematous  (drop 
^ical).  But  these  states  of  the  part  would  not  justify  a  man  in 
cutting  off  the  tail ;  for  the  limbs  are  often  found  in  the  same  con- 
dition, and  no  one  would  ever  think  of  lopping  them  off,  for  the 
remedy  would  be  worse  than  the  disease ;  and,  so  far  as  the  tail  is 
concerned  in  being  the  seat  of  local  congestion,  or  oedema,  there  is 
no  disease  at  all,  and,  therefore,  does  not  require  local  treatment. 
But  I  am  not  discussing  the  probabilities  of  diseases  of  the  tail. 
This  is  not  my  purpose.  I  only  aim  to  show  the  folly  of  making 
the  cow's  tail  the  indicator  of  the  various  diseases  of  her  body, 
and,  also,  that  of  confounding  a  disease  of  the  nervvms  sj'stem 


194  i,ADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SLKGERY 

with  a  slight  congestion  of  the  tail ;  and,  further,  the  folly  of  ar- 
guing that  the  cow's  strength  is  taken  out  of  her  back,  etc.,  because 
the  end  of  her  tail  is  soft.  If  the  tails  of  neat  stock,  or  those  of 
any  other  animals,  become  diseased,  in  the  name  of  humanity  let 
them  be  prescribed  for ;  but  I  do  hope  that  those  who  read  this 
article  will  never  be  caught  prying  into  the  end  of  the  above  use- 
ful appendage  for  the  purpose  of  demonstrating  that  which  nevci" 
existed. 

Almost  all  animals  said  to  have  the  tail-ail  are  laboring  under 
various  forms  of  disease  remote  from  the  tail,  and,  however  dili- 
gent men  may  be  in  performing  their  barbarous  operations  on  the 
same,  the  disease  under  which  the  animal  suffers,  perhaps  located 
either  in  the  brain,  spinal  marrow,  liver,  or  pancreas,  entirely  un  • 
suspected,  may  progress  to  a  fatal  termination,  while  an  uneducatetl 
cow-leech  is  amusing  himself  by  taking  unwarrantable  libcitioa 
with  the  uncomplaining  animal's  tail.  I  am  often  told  that  ani- 
mals, after  being  thus  operated  on,  get  well.  Very  likely.  Some 
animals  will  endure  the  most  cruel  torture,  and  I  once  saw  a  cow, 
ir  apparent  health,  who  a  fortnight  previous  drank  a  pint  of  white 
paint.  Such  cases  I  look  upon  as  nothing  more  nor  less  than  lucky 
escapes. 

I  shall  close  this  article  by  introducing  a  selection  from 
"  You  ATT  on  Cattle."  Mr.  Youatt,  when  treating  of  palsy,  thus 
alludes  to  "tail-ill,"  or  "tail-slip": 

"  In  many  parts  of  the  kingdom  palsy  is  traced  to  a  most  ridicu- 
lous cause.  The  original  evil  is  said  to  be  in  the  tail,  and  all 
maladies  of  this  kind,  involving  the  partial  or  total  loss  of  motion 
in  the  hind  limbs  of  the  animal,  are  classed  under  the  name  of 
tail-ill,  or  tail-slip.  Our  friend,  Mr.  Dick,  of  Edinburgh,  has 
taken  up  this  subject,  in  a  very  interesting  point  of  view,  in  the 
fourteenth  number  of  the  '  Journal  of  Agriculture,'  and  the  public 
are  much  indebted  to  him  for  dispelling  a  false,  injurious,  and 
cruel  superstition.  The  farmer  and  the  cow-leech  believe  that  the 
mischief  passes  along  the  cow's  tail  to  the  back,  and  that  it  is  on 
account  of  something  wrong  in  the  tail  that  she  loses  the  use  of  her 
legs ;  and  then  some  set  to  work  and  cut  the  cow's  tail  off,  while 
others,  less  cruel  or  more  scientific,  make  an  incision  into  the  under 
surface,  and  allow  the  wound  to  bleed  freely,  and  then  fill  it  up 
with  a  mixture  of  tar  and  salt,  and  we  know  not  what.  *  *  » 
Mr.  Dick,  with  a  kind  consideration  for  which  he  deserves  much 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BONES.  195 

credit,  condescends  to  reason  the  case  with  these  foolish  people; 
and  wiiat  he  says  is  so  much  to  the  purpose,  that  we  can  not  refrain 
from  introducing  it  here:  'The  disease,  in  ordinary  cases,  is  s:  id 
to  consist  in  a  softening  about  the  extremity  of  the  tail,  and  is  to 
be  distinguished  by  the  point  of  the  tail  being  easily  doubled  baivk 
upon  itself,  and  having,  at  this  doubling,  a  soft  and  rather  crej)!- 
tating  kind  of  feel.  But  what  is  the  real  state  of  the  case  ?  The 
tail  is  lengthened  out  to  the  extent  of  about  three  feet,  and  ia 
formed  like  a  common  whip.  Toward  the  extremity  the  bones 
terminate  gradually,  becoming  insensibly  smaller  as  they  proceed 
downward.  At  this  part  is  said  to  be  found  a  soft  place  (the  tail- 
slip).  Beyond  this,  again,  a  firm  cartilaginous  portion  is  found, 
covered  with  hair,  to  brush  off  the  flies  within  its  reach.  Now, 
why  have  we  the  long  columns  of  bones — the  termination  with  a 
soft  space  of  a  few  inclies — this  thickened,  hard,  cartilaginous  part 
at  the  very  extremity,  and  that  extremity  covered  with  hair,  but 
with  a  view  to  form  a  whip,  to  drive  off,  with  the  greatest  possible 
effect,  the  insects  which  wound  and  torment  the  animal  ? '  " 

After  such  testimony  as  the  above,  I  firmly  believe  that  the 
readers  of  this  work  will  never  be  caught  in  the  foolish  act  of  lo- 
cating paralysis  at  the  extremity  of  the  caudal  appendage. 


^ 


SECTIOX    XII. 


DISEASES   OF    THE    BRAIN 


IjIFtAMMATION  OF  THE  BkAIN  AND  ITS  MEMBRANES — StURDT  IN  CaTTLE — ShAKINO 

Palsy — Hydrophobia. 


Inflammation  of  the  Brain  and  its  Membranes. 

IT  makes  but  little  difference,  so  far  as  our  method  of  treatment 
is  concerned,  whether  the  brain  or  its  membranes  be  the  seat 
of  inflammation ;  for  the  treatment,  in  both  cases,  must  be  the  same,, 
and  the  difference,  in  a  pathological  point  of  view,  can  not  be  very- 
great  between  a  disease  of  the  brain  and  its  investing  membranes, 
although  each  may  have  peculiarities  of  appearance.  The  affectioa 
is  generally  sudden  in  its  attack,  and  it  is  often  accompanied  by 
symptoms  of  frenzy,  and  the  animal  sometimes  becomes  frantic, 
and  decidedly  mischievous.  Soon,  however,  alterations  in  the 
structure  of  the  parts  take  place,  as  softening,  effusion,  etc.,  and 
then  the  animal  dies. 

In  regard  to  the  treatment,  I  must  confess  that  it  is  much 
easier  to  write  about  it  than  accomplish  it.  In  cases  when  de- 
•  lirious  fits  occur,  accompanied  by  convulsions,  which  make  it  dan- 
gerous to  approach  the  animal,  I  have  no  remedies  to  offer ;  the 
case  is  beyond  the  reach  of  art.  I  may,  however,  add  that  the 
terminations  of  this  disease  are  different.  They  depend  on  the 
intensity  of  the  malady  and  the  structural  susceptibility.  The 
lisease  is  generally  treated  on  the  antiphlogistic  plan :  cold  water 
.0  the  head,  active  cathartics,  and  counter-irritation  on  the  region 
of  the  spine. 

Causes, — The  causes  of  a  disease  of  this  character  are  often 
obscure,  yet  I  have  known  it  to  occur  as  a  symptomatic  affection. 
I  examined  the  carcass  of  an  ox,  a  short  time  ago,  that  died  of 
n96i 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BRAIJ).  197 

what  the  owner  termed  "  mad  staggers."  I  found  the  brain  highly 
congested,  and  several  adhesions  between  it  and  its  membranes. 
There  were  also  large  patches,  intensely  red,  on  the  lining  mem- 
brane of  the  third  and  fourth  apartments  of  the  stomach.  I  was 
informed  by  the  owner  that  the  animal  died  twenty-four  hours 
fi-om  the  time  of  its  first  attack.  The  disease  probably  originated 
on  the  digestive  surfaces,  in  consequence  of  the  irritating  nature 
of  the  food — moldy  hay  and  tough  corn-stalks,  with  a  sprinkling 
cf  damaged  meal  and  brewer's  grains. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  symptomatic  disease  of  the  brain 
are  as  follows  :  Dullness,  loss  of  appetite,  staring  of  the  coat ;  and, 
if  the  animal  be  a  milch  cow,  diminution  in  the  quantity  of  milk 
is  observed ;  the  extremities  are  cold,  and  the  animal  grates  its 
teeth ;  the  respiration  is  at  first  tranquil,  and  the  pulse  slow  but 
full ;  the  patient  will  frequently  be  seized  with  a  kind  of  epileptic 
fit,  which  lasts  but  a  few  minutes,  during  which  time  some  of  them 
will  exhibit  the  most  violent  symptoms,  such  as  bellowing  hide- 
ously, pawing  the  earth,  and  running  at  any  thing  within  their 
reach ;  they  will  also  break  out  into  profuse  perspiration,  and  press 
their  heads  forcibly  against  the  wall,  even  to  such  an  extent  as  to 
break  off  their  horns.  Many  are  seized  with  v^iolent  tremblings 
and  twitchings,  and,  toward  the  latter  period  of  the  disease,  the 
respiration  becomes  extremely  laborious,  the  jaws  are  firmly  closed, 
convulsions  succeed  each  other  rapidly,  and  death  shortly  closes 
the  scene. 

Treatment. — Give  the  animal  two  drachms  of  fluid  extract  of  gel- 
seminum  in  a  gill  of  water,  twice  daily,  until  the  pulse  and  respira- 
tions become  more  natural.  Give  occasional  enemas  of  soap-suds, 
and  keep  the  head  and  spine  sponged  often  with  cold  water.  So 
soon  as  the  inflammatory  symptoms  subside,  discontinue  the  ge)- 
eeminum,  and  administer,  daily,  doses  of 

Fluid  extract  of  golden  seal 1  oz. 

Hyposulphite  of  soda ^  oz. 

Water 1  pt. 

Mix. 


Sturdy,  or  Cerebral  Parasites. 

The  brain,  and  its  investing  membranes,  are  often  infested  with 
t  species  of  entozoa,  termed  coenurus.     They  consist  of  a  parent 


198  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

sac,  or  lacrabranous  tunic,  from  which,  externally,  germination 
takes  place.  This  mode  of  multiplication  of  this  group  of  para- 
sites differs  from  that  which  is  observed  in  the  hydatid  (fluke),  in 
which  it  occurs  internally. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  will  depend  altogether  upon  the 
number  and  size  of  the  parasites.  In  their  early  state  they  take 
up  but  little  room,  and  do  not  occasion  any  very  marked  symp- 
toms ;  yet,  if  the  animal  could  only  speak,  we  might  be  informed 
that  he  was  the  subject  of  headache.  As  the  parasite  or  parasites 
Increase  in  size,  they  produce  pressure  on  the  brain,  which  makes 
the  animal  appear  giddy,  confused,  nervous,  and  desirous  of  sep- 
arating itself  from  the  herd;  and  it  is  in  consequence  of  these 
j)eculiar  symptoms  making  their  appearance,  when  no  other  form 
of  disease  is  present,  that  the  term  "  sturdy  "  is  applied,  which  i^j 
simply  used  to  denote  the  presence  of  cerebral  parasites. 

Treatment. — When  once  these  parasites  have  fairly  taken  up 
their  abode  in  the  cranial  cavity  of  an  ox,  I  fear  there  is  very 
little  help.  An  operation,  such  as  that  alluded  to  by  the  writer 
of  the  appended  article,  may,  once  in  awhile,  prove  successful,  yet, 
in  my  opinion,  the  remedy  is  about  as  bad  as  the  disease;  there- 
fore I  recommend  prevention  rather  than  attempts  at  cure.  The 
preventive  remedies  are  salt,  sulphur,  and  charcoal,  equal  parts. 
This  is  a  specific  for  all  parasites.  About  a  table-spoonful  of  the 
mixture,  given  occasionally  in  the  food,  will  prevent  the  germi- 
nation of  many  forms  of  parasites. 

The  following  interesting  translations  are  by  Mr.  Gamgee  : 

"  Sturdy  in  Cattle. — No  less  than  seven  bladders  of  the  coenurus 
were  found  in  the  left  hemisphere  of  the  cerebrum,  in  an  old  cow 
affected  with  the  sturdy.  Between  the  dura  mater  and  the  cranial 
parieties  there  were  several  transparent  vesicles,  about  the  size  of 
a  pea,  embedded  in  the  substance  of  the  bones.  The  left  hemis- 
phere of  the  cerebrum  only  weighed  three  drachms  and  a  scruple 
less  than  the  right,  although  the  former  contained  all  the  blad 
ders.  Hering  could  not  find  any  heads  of  the  coenurus  on  the 
interior  of  the  sacs,  and  he  held  thom  to  be  yet  undeveloped 
hydatids. — Repertorium  fiir  Thoerheil,  p.  21.     1855:  Stuttgart. 

''In  the  second  volume  of  the  Milan  'Veterinary  Journal,'  at 
page  52,  is  a  case  of  sturdy,  recorded  by  Patellani.  It  occurred 
in  a  two-year  old  animal,  that  had  shown,  for  several  days,  at- 
tack? of  madness,  and  in  one  of  these  it  had  broken  a  horn  off. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BRAIN.  19i.i 

Patellani  found  her  lying  senseless  on  the  ground ;  the  head  bent 
on  one  side;  the  forehead,  hot,  and  painful  on  percussion;  the 
sound  produced,  hollow.  On  examination  after  death,  the  mem- 
brane of  the  brain  was  found  injected,  and  in  the  right  ventricle 
of  the  cerebrum  were  hydatids  with  several  heads. 

"  The  trephine  has,  of  late  years,  been  much  recommended  in 
cases  of  cerebral  hydatids  in  cattle ;  and  in  Bavaria  and  Wurtem- 
berg  it  has  frequently  been  employed,  and  often  with  good  results. 
At  the  Clinique  of  the  Munich  Veterinary  School,  in  the  month 
of  November,  1854,  a  year-old  heifer  was  presented,  with  expan- 
sion of  the  right  frontal  bone.  There  were  symptoms  of  giddi- 
ness, with  turning  toward  the  right  side,  dullness,  etc.  Ramoser 
found,  on  percussing  the  seat  of  the  disease,  that  the  sound  was 
most  hollow  to  the  left.  The  case  was  observed  for  forty-three 
days,  during  which  time  the  symptoms  became  more  severe ;  the 
animal  was  trephined,  and  about  two  ounces  of  serum  passed  out, 
followed  by  the  bag  of  the  parasite.  The  wound  would  have  been 
closed  with  a  clay  plaster,  but  the  animal  had  to  be  slaughtered 
the  following  day.  The  membranes  of  the  brain  were  inflamed, 
especially  to  the  right,  and  blood  was  extravasated  on  its  surface. 
The  expansion,  thinning,  and  even  perforation  of  the  upper  part 
of  the  right  lateral  ventricle,  showed  that  the  bladder  was  lodged 
in  the  ventricle  itself,  as  had  been  seen  the  previous  year,  in 
another  case  that  had  been  operated  upon.  Death  was  then 
attributable  to  the  far-advanced  stage  of  the  malady,  and  to  the 
abrupt  collapse  of  the  parietes  of  the  ventricle,  after  contraction 
of  the  bladder." — 3Iunchen  Jahresber,  fer  1854-5,  p.  13. 

The  following  is  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  John  Gamgee,  (Edin- 
burgh,) on  sturdy  in  sheep,  in  which  much  useful  information 
relative  to  parasites  is  given : 

"  The  more  inquiries  made,  the  more  accurate  Avill  the  conclusion 
arrived  at  by  scientific  men  appear,  thai  dogs  and  sheep  must  live 
together  for  certain  parasites  to  extend  their  ravages  with  effect. 
On  all  the  sheep-farms  I  visited  last  summer,  sturdy  was  com- 
plained of,  and  on  all  such  farms  there  were  dogs.  Such  was  the 
case  at  Cairnton,  Mill  of  Kincarnardine,  on  Glendye,  and  in  otlier 
localities.  Mr.  Falconer,  of  Balnakettle,  a  gentleman  of  great 
experience,  and  other  farmers,  assured  me  that  there  Ijas  been 
more  giddiness  in  sheep  within  the  last  two  or  three  years  than 
they  hz.d  ever  witnessed  before,  and  tlie  Iosscf.  in  consequence, 


200  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SULGERY, 

are  sometimes  greater  than  by  that  fatal  malady  "braxy."  Thia 
clearly  does  not  depend  on  a  large  number  of  dogs  being  Icept; 
but  there  are  many  conditions  afiPecting  the  propagation  of  para- 
sites, and  if  destructive  agencies  were  not  as  universal  as  the 
productive,  much  more  effectually  would  vermin  and  parasites 
multiply  and  spread  their  baneful  influence,  to  the  detriment  of 
mankind.  It  is  accidental  circumstances  that  affect  the  develop- 
ment of  diseases  of  animals.  If  every  germ  produced  by  a  single 
tape-worm,  in  a  limited  period  of  time,  were  to  take  effect,  it 
would  be  quite  sufficient  to  exterminate  the  flocks  of  Great  Brit- 
ain ;  but,  I  repeat,  the  laws  established  to  procure  the  multipli- 
cation of  any  animal  are  counteracted  by  an  infinity  of  uncon- 
trolled, but,  perhaps,  not  uncontrollable,  agencies.  The  latent 
vitality  of  the  eggs  of  such  parasites  is  extremely  difficult  to 
destroy,  and,  to  use  the  words  of  one  of  Kuchenmelster's  review- 
ers, after  months  of  exposure  to  warmth  and  moisture,  the  pulpy 
and  putrid  debris  of  segments  of  the  taenia  solium  yield  ova  which 
show  no  sign  of  any  approach  of  degeneration  or  decay.  And  the 
writer  of  this  review  has  been  struck  by  the  remarkable  way  in 
which  the  size  and  structure  of  these  ova  allow  them  to  elude  all 
precautions  that  may  be  taken  against  their  mechanical  dispersion. 
In  spite  of  every  attempt  to  insure  their  destruction,  by  steeping 
the  specimen  glasses  he  may  have  used  in  strong  acids,  and  by 
afterward  bathing  them  in  the  flame  of  a  spirit-lamp,  he  has  once 
or  twice  found  the  characteristic  ova  appear  most  unaccountably 
in  healthy  and  diseased  tissues  of  secretions  of  the  human  body, 
which  he  has  subsequently  examined  with  these  glasses.  The 
dissolution  of  the  parent  tissues  ultimately  sets  free  the  eggs  con- 
tained in  their  interior,  to  be  carried  by  the  winds  and  waves 
wherever  accident  may  determine.  How  vast  a  number  of  them 
miscarry  is  evident  when  we  attempt  to  take  the  census  of  a  single 
tape- worm !  Or  imagine  the  million  of  eggs  such  a  parent  foists 
upon  society  during  the  years  it  may  inhabit  a  given  animal. 
What  becomes  of  these  abortive  germs,  how  long  they  retain  any 
vitality,  and  what  are  the  circumstances  that  may  rob  them  of  it 
are  questions  we  can  not  answer,  save  by  the  conjecture  that  their 
albuminous  and  fatty  materials  are  either  applied  to  the  soil  in  a 
decomposed  form,  or  are  consumed  as  food  by  various  of  the 
minute  intervertebra  that  throng  the  surface  of  the  eart"::  and  the 
watejs.     But  the  more  fortunate  minority  of  these  eg^^,  ^he  dea- 


mSEASES  OF  THE  BKAIN.  201 

liny  of  which  is  to  eat  instead  of  being  eaten,  after  many  and  long 
wanderings  of  this  passive  nature,  are,  at  length,  engulfed  by  some 
unconscious  animal  in  company  with  its  food,  and,  through  its 
alimentary  canal,  attain  the  locality  of  their  second  form  of  exist- 
ence. During  this  passive  emigration,  the  worm  has  retained  its 
previous  size  (l-700th  of  an  inch)  and  shape.  But  its  thick  wall 
bursts  and  sets  free  the  inclosed  embryo,  which  is  an  ovoid  body, 
of  nearly  equal  size,  armed  with  six  booklets  at  one  extremity. 
Impelled  by  instinct  to  begin  its  active  migration,  the  embryo 
pierces  the  first  portion  of  its  path  by  bringing  together  the  an  • 
terior  pair  of  hooks,  so  as  to  form  with  them  a  kind  of  wedge- 
shaped  stiletto,  and  now  drags  itself  forward  in  the  same  direc- 
tion by  means  of  the  succeeding  pairs  of  hooks,  which  it  uses  like 
a  person  who,  in  attempting  to  get  out  of  a  bow-window,  thrusts 
himself  forward  by  his  elbows.  In  this  way  the  minute  embryo 
penetrates  the  body  it  inhabits,  and  only  increases  its  efforts  on 
reaching  the  place  its  instinct  recognizes  as  suitable  for  its  abode, 
prior  to  the  next  series  of  changes  it  has  to  undergo.  Streaks  of 
reactive  inflammation  and  exudation  generally  indicate  the  minute 
channel  by  which  the  embryo  thus  traverses  the  wall  of  the  digest- 
ive canal,  in  its  course  to  the  liver  or  other  organs.  The  migra- 
tion of  a  taenia  is  probably  a  passive  process.  Various  facts  suggest 
it  to  be  so — "  a  true  locomotion,  effected  under  the  impulse  of  an 
instinct,  and  by  means  of  certain  special  organs.  The  germs  of 
parasites  are  evidently  carried  through  the  system  in  the  stream 
of  circulating  blood,  and  they  do  not  always  travel  themselves 
through  the  interstices  of  tissues. 

Sturdy  was  long  considered  as  dependent  on  a  simple  accumu- 
lation of  water  on  the  brain,  generally  affecting  one  side.  Loecke 
had  observed,  in  1780,  that  the  water-bladders  on  the  brain  of 
giddy  sheep  were  animals ;  and  Fabricus  (Harvey's  master)  was 
the  first  to  assert  the  same  respecting  the  cysticercus  of  the  pig. 
Albildguard,  the  founder  of  the  Copenhagen  Veterinary  School, 
observed  that  a  tape-worm  (the  bothriocephalus  latus)  which  ex- 
isted in  the  abdominal  cavity  of  the  stickle-back,  and  in  the 
intestinal  canal  of  certain  water  birds,  never  had  eggs  in  thf 
former  but  only  in  the  latter  situation;  and  that  from  the  first- 
mentioned  creature  it  passed  into  the  second,  he  ascertained  by 
direct  experiments  with  ducks,  which  he  fed  on  banstickles. 
Goetze,  in  1782,  had  perceived  the  great  resemblance  between  the 


202  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

heac'  of  the  hydatid  of  the  liver  of  mice  and  rats,  the  cystieerciis 
fasciolaris,  and  of  the  tape-worm  of  the  cat  (taenia  crassicollis.) 
The  cercarise  was  first  studied  by  Miiller,  and  lastly  by  Bejanui?, 
in  1818,  who  recognized  them  as  parasitic  in  certain  snails,  in- 
closed in  bags.  M.  Wagner  and  Von  Siebold  and  Steenstrup 
fancied  they  had  discovered  the  change  cercarise  underwent  to 
become  true  fluke-worms.  Ehrenberg,  in  1852,  disputed  Steen- 
strup's  accepted  metamorphoses,  and  only  gives  the  resemblance 
of  the  tailless  cercarioe,  v/ith  a  trematode  worm.  Dr.  Kucheu- 
meister,  of  Sittau,  instituted  ingenious  experiments  to  settle  these 
hypotheses.  He  made  dogs  and  cats  swallow  hydatids,  which  de- 
veloped into  tape-worms  in  the  intestines.  From  the  hydatids  of 
the  liver  of  cats  and  mice  the  taenia  crassicollis  in  the  intestines 
of  the  cat  arose,  and  from  the  cysticercus  of  the  hare  and  rabbit 
the  taenia  serrata  in  the  intestine  of  the  dog ;  so  that  if  the  water - 
bladder  is  lost,  the  head  of  the  worm  attaches  itself  to  the  head 
of  the  mucous  membrane,  the  rings  constituting  the  body  of  the 
tape-worms,  including  the  organs  of  reproduction,  and  they  are 
thus  formed.  By  repeated  experiments,  made  by  several  eminent 
zoologists,  the  deductions  were  confirmed." 


Shaking  Palsy. 

Shaking  paisy  is  a  condition  of  the  animal  economy  known 
to  medical  men  as  irregular  or  abnormal  nervous  action.  It  gen- 
erally occurs  in  cows  of  the  nervous  temperament,  whose  digest- 
ive organs  are  deranged;  and,  so  far  as  my  experience  goes,  the 
disease  is  confined  to  imported  stock,  of  the  Alderney  breed.  I 
lately  attended  an  Alderney  cow,  the  property  of  Mr.  Chenery, 
at  the  "Highland  Stock  Farm,"  Belmont,  Mass, 

Symptoms. — The  patient  was  suddenly  attacked  with  symptoms 
of  irregular  nervous  action  of  the  muscles  of  the  chest  and  fore- 
legs, similating  shaking  palsy.  The  membranes  of  the  eyes  were 
highly  injected ;  pulse,  jerking  in  unison  with  the  irregular  mus- 
cular action;  external  surface,  extremities,  and  horns,  quite  chilly  • 
respirations,  normal ;  pulse  small  and  languid. 

Treatment. — I  gave  the  patient  three  drachms  of  fluid  extract 
of  golden-seal,  and  the  same  quantity  of  flui-d  extract  of  camomile 
flowers.  The  spine  and  fore  extremities  were  then  irritated  by  the 
applicaHon  of  tincture  of  capsicum.     On  visiting  the  animal.  th«* 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BRAIN.  iUiJ 

next  day,  I  found  her  in  better  condition.  The  tremulous  motion 
had  somewhat  subsided,  and  I  pronounced  her  out  of  danger.  She 
finally  recovered  without  much  subsequent  treatment. 

It  is  my  opinion  that  this  case  had  its  origin  in  derangement 
of  the  digestive  organs  and  constipation ;  for,  after  the  exhibition 
of  the  tonics  ("  bitters,")  which  aroused  the  action  of  the  stomach, 
the  animal  passed  an  immense  quantity  of  black,  fetid  excrement. 
The  quantity  was  so  great  that  it  occasioned  remarks  on  the  sub- 
ject from  all  who  visited  her. 

Hydrophobia. 

There  are  generally  some  circumstances  connected  with  a  case 
of  hydrophobia  which  afford  a  clue  to  its  real  nature.  It  often 
happens  that  evidence  conclusive  is  furnished  that  the  animal  has 
been  bitten  by  a  rabid  dog.  If  this  be  the  case,  all  doubts  are  at 
an  end. 

Symptoms. — In  the  early  stages  of  the  disease,  there  may  be 
nothing  in  the  symptoms  to  excite  suspicion  as  regards  the  true 
character  of  the  affection;  they  may  merely  denote  approaching 
illness ;  but  if  the  animal  has  been  bitten  by  a  rabid  dog,  or  any 
other  animal,  and  has  become  inoculated  with  the  virus,  which  is 
usually  communicated  through  the  medium  of  the  saliva,  then 
any  slight  deviation  from  health,  as  shown  by  suspension  of  ru- 
mination, or  by  any  other  abnormal  condition  which  may  attract 
the  attention  of  the  farmer,  is  the  precursor  of  the  dreadful 
malady  which  is  to  follow.  The  most  marked  symptoms  of  hy- 
drophobia are,  protrusion  of  the  eyeballs;  the  conjunctivial  mem- 
brane is  very  much  reddened,  and,  in  fact,  all  the  visible  surfaces 
of  the  eyes,  nostrils,  and  mouth  are  much  inflamed.  The  animal 
is  ripe  for  mischief,  bellows  occasionally,  will  paw  and  tear  up  the 
ground  with  its  horns,  and,  on  the  least  excitement,  will  become 
more  dangerous  than  a  rabid  dog,  trying,  however,  to  do  injury, 
to  friend  or  foe,  with  its  horns  rather  than  with  its  teeth.  The 
rabid  cow  or  ox  will  drink  water,  if  it  can  swallow ;  in  fact,  it  gen- 
erally suffers  from  intense  thirst;  but  the  fact  is,  the  poor  creature 
can  not  swallow  a  drop.  The  least  attempt  at  deglutition  induce** 
spasms  of  the  larynx,  and  puts  the  animal  into  the  most  distress- 
ing agony.  It  is  not  the  sight  of  water  that  puts  a  rabid  animal 
into  convulsions,  as  some  persons  suppose;  for  in  the  early  stage 


204  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

of  the  disease,  when  the  membrane  of  the  larynx  is  not  muc)) 
affected,  they  will  drink  freely. 

Treatment. — It  is  well  known  that  the  poison  of  all  rabid  ani- 
mals resides  in  the  saliva,  consequently  they  can  not  be  handled 
and  drenched  without  fear  of  danger ;  for  if  a  small  quantity  of 
the  saliva  comes  in  contact  with  an  abraded  surface  or  sore,  the 
unfortunate  individual  is  just  as  much  in  danger  as  if  he  had 
been  bitten.  The  only  remedies  that  seem  likely  to  be  of  any 
service  are  the  plantain  leaf  (plantago  major)  and  lobelia.  Take 
four  ounces  of  each  of  these  herbs,  and  infuse  them  in  two  quarts 
of  boiling  water ;  when  cool,  strain  through  a  fine  sieve,  and  ad- 
minister at  once.  If  at  the  end  of  a  few  hours  the  patient  has 
not  improved,  it  will  be  advisable  to  destroy  him. 

The  following  interesting  case  occurred  in  the  practice  of  Mr. 
G.  Lewis,  of  Monmouth,  England : 

"  I  was  requested  to  see  a  cow,  the  property  of  an  extensive 
farmer  near  this  town.  Upon  my  arrival  he  gave  me  the  follow- 
ing history  of  the  case:  'On  the  15th  ult.,  the  calf  from  this  cow, 
tied  in  an  out-house,  was  severely  bitten  in  the  nose  and  mouth 
by  a  dog,  it  was  believed,  although  none  was  seen.  But  the  cattle 
which  were  in  the  same  meadow  were  in  a  very  excited  state, 
lowing  and  bellowing,  as  also  the  calf;  and,  upon  the  arrival  of 
the  shepherd,  who  hastened  to  the  spot,  he  found  the  calf  much 
torn,  and  the  cow  with  blood  upon  her  nose.  The  calf,  from  this 
period  until  the  27th,  could  not  take  its  milk  in  the  natural  man- 
ner, and  was  obliged  to  be  drenched.  But  from  the  above  date, 
the  wounds  having  healed,  and  the  animal  apparently  recovered 
from  the  injuries  it  had  received,  it  was  turned  to  the  cow,  and 
took  its  milk  in  the  usual  way,  which  it  continued  to  do  up  to  the 
31st,  at  which  period  the  teats  of  the  cow  were  bitten  by  the  calf. 
From  this  date  the  calf  became  very  ill,  appeared  to  have  sore 
throat,  made  a  very  peculiar  noise,  a  kind  of  half  bellow  and 
roar,  continued  to  get  worse,  and  died  on  the  3d  inst.'     I  did  not 

see  him,  but  such  is  the  description  given  to  me  by  Mr.  J , 

and  I  know  that  it  is  a  faithful  one.  My  attention  was  now 
directed  to  the  cow.  She  was  observed  yesterday  to  separate  her- 
self from  the  others,  and  to  bellow  occasionally ;  but  this  morn- 
ing she  was  seen  to  foam  greatly  at  the  mouth,  and  appeared 
much  excited.  The  other  cattle,  also,  would  not  associate  with 
her.  but  kept  at  a  respectful  distance,  with  their  heads  ind  tails 


DISEASES  OF  THE  BRAIN.  205 

erect.  She  was  now  brought  to  the  house,  at  which  time  I  first 
saw  her.  She  was  standing ;  the  eyes  were  half-closed ;  she  ap- 
peared to  be  in  a  kind  of  stupor,  or  half  comatose  state ;  extrem- 
ities, natural  temperature ;  respiration,  natural.  She  was  looking 
rather  thin ;  she  was  always  a  remarkably  quiet  creature,  but  now 
the  least  noise  appears  greatly  to  agitate  her.  The  human  voice, 
or  the  slightest  movement,  is  sufficient  to  cause  her  eyes  to  glare, 
and  set  her  bellowing,  which  ends  in  something  between  a  growl 
and  a  roar.  A  person  whistling,  or  the  bark  of  a  dog,  produces 
fearful  excitement.  These  paroxysms  also  appear  to  come  on 
spontaneously.  At  their  termination,  the  eyes  again  become  half- 
closed,  the  abdominal  muscles  tremble,  the  respiration  is  slightly 
quickened,  and  the  pulse  is  quick  and  tremulous.  I  remarked 
that  some  water  might  be  brought.  Upon  presenting  the  same 
she  plunged  her  nose  into  the  bucket,  but  could  not  swallow,  and 
the  effect  was  fearful  to  behold. 

I  informed  Mr.  J as  to  the  nature  of  the  case,  stating  that 

I  had  no  hesitation  in  pronouncing  it  to  be  a  case  of  hydropho- 
bia; but,  as  he  did  not  wish  to  have  her  destroyed,  and  was  very 
anxious  that  I  should  give  her  something,  and  watch  the  case,  I 
merely  ordered  a  purgative,  combined  with  a  little  febrifuge  med- 
icine, at  the  same  time  pointing  out  the  propriety  of  being  cau- 
tious while  administering  the  medicine,  and  the  probable  imprac- 
ticability of  it,  which  was  verified. 

September  14. — All  the  symptoms  of  yesterday  are  aggravated 
intensively.  The  eyes  have  still  a  heavy  appearance,  when  sud- 
denly they  appear  like  two  brilliants.  I  observe  that  the  spasm 
is  more  severe,  and  that  she  bites  the  wood-work  of  her  stall. 

September  15. — Much  worse;  the  cornea  of  the  left  eye,  in  its 
center,  is  become  opaque,  and  appears  as  though  nitrate  of  silver 
had  been  applied  to  it.  She  sometimes  lies  down,  but  gets  up 
again  and  roars.  Upon  a  person  present  putting  his  foot  near 
her  mouth,  she  made  an  effort  to  seize  it,  uttering  a  growl.  She 
died  tlii.-  evening. 

''Post  mortem  examination,  seventeen  hours  after  death. — The 
brain — its  substance  appeared  healthy.  The  pia  mater  showed 
Intense  inflammation  in  small  patches;  its  vessels  generally  were 
very  fully  congested.  The  larynx  showed  traces  of  intense  in- 
rianimation,  as  also  did  the  membrane  lining  of  the  tracnea, 
throughout  its  entire  length,  and  was  most  beautifully  spotted. 


206  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

as  was  also  the  lungs,  pleura  pulmonalis,  pericardium,  and  heart. 
The  coats  of  the  first  and  third  stomachs  parted  upon  the  slightest 
touch  in  patches.  The  abdominal  viscera,  also,  was  similarly 
spotted,  as  was  the  diaphragm,  etc.,  although  not  so  thicklv.as  the 
respiratory  organs." 


SPECIMEN  OF  AN  ALDEBNEY  BULL. 


SECTION   XIII. 

THE    LIVER    AND    ITS   DISEASES. 

Desobiption  of  the  Liver — Secretion  of  Bile;  its  Uses,  etc. — Gall-bladdeb— 
Inflammation  of  the  Liver — Hydatids — Jaundice,  or  Yellows. 

Desceiption  of  the  Liver. 

rilHE  liver  is  the  largest  gland  in  the  body.  Unlike  the  liver 
-L  of  a  horse,  it  has  a  large  reservoir  for  the  reception  of  the 
bile,  called  the  gall-bladder.  In  form  it  is  irregular,  being  convex 
anteriorly,  or  toward  the  diaphragm,  with  which  it  is  in  contact, 
and  concave  on  its  posterior  surface,  or  toward  and  in  the  vicinity 
of  a  part  of  the  stomach.  It  is  composed  of  two  lobes.  That 
on  the  right  side  is  the  larger.  The  central  portion  of  the  gland 
is  the  thickest,  and  it  gradually  becomes  thin  toward  its  borders, 
"l^he  mass  consists  of  a  vast  number  of  minute  lobules,  varying  in 
size  and  form,  containing  a  net-work  of  biliary  ducts  connected 
>nth  their  main  trunks,  and  a  large  number  of  biliary  cells;  and 
each  is  connected,  in  like  manner,  with  three  blood-vessels ;  namely, 
the  hepatic  or  nutrient  artery  of  the  liver ;  the  vena  porta,  which 
returns  the  venous  blood  after  it  has  circulated  through  the  intes- 
tines; the  hepatic  vein,  which  carries  back  the  blood  received  from 
both  the  other  sources.  It  will  be  seen,  therefore,  that  the  venous 
blood,  which  is  brought  to  the  liver  by  the  vena  portse,  is  intended 
for  the  elimination  of  bile ;  therefore  this  vessel  seems  to  act  in 
the  double  capacity  of  vein  and  artery ;  for,  as  a  vein,  it  receives 
blood  from  the  abdominal  viscera ;  as  an  artery  it  ramifies  through 
the  liver,  forms  a  capillary  net-work,  and  then  secretes  the  bile. 
From  this  capillary  net-work,  which  can  be  traced  to  the  center 
of  the  minute  lobules,  the  hepatic  vein  takes  its  origin,  collecting 
the  blood  from  the  capillary  net-work.     It  then  unites  with  other 


20»  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

radicles  to  form  the  main  trunk,  by  which  it  is  delivered  into  the 
vena  cava. 

The  branches  of  the  hepatic  artery  are  principally  'distributed 
upon  the  walls  of  the  hepatic  ducts,  and  upon  the  trunks  and 
branches  of  the  portal  and  hepatic  veins,  supplying  these  and  the 
contiguous  parts  with  the  necessary  amount  of  arterial  blood  ftr 
their  nourishment,  as  well  as  that  of  the  whole  gland. 

The  investing  membrane  of  the  liver,  from  which  prolongations 
extend  into  its  substance,  is  termed  Glisson's  capsule. 

The  liver  derives  its  nerves  and  nervo-vital  power  from  the 
great  sympathetic  and  eighth  pair. 

The  liver  is  confined  to  its  situation  by  ligaments,  which  get 
the  name  of  broad,  lateral,  coronary,  and  round.  The  round  lig- 
ament, is  the  remains  of  the  umbilical  vein  of  the  fetus,  Th« 
others  are  continuations  or  duplicatures  of  the  peritoneum. 


Secretion  of  Bile;  its  Uses,  etc. 

The  bile  is  secreted  from  the  capillaries  of  the  hepatic  artery, 
by  minute  glands  found  on  the  surface  of  the  biliary  ducts.  It 
then  passes  through  the  biliary  pores  and  branches  of  the  hepatic 
duct.  By  this  duct  it  is  conveyed  to  the  ductus  communis  chole- 
dochus  (union  of  the  cystic  and  hepatic  ducts),  from  whence,  i» 
part,  it  passes  by  the  cystic  duct  to  the  gall-bladder.  When  needed 
in  the  duodenum,  it  returns  by  the  cystic  duct,  and  mixes  in  the 
ductus  communis  choledochus  with  fresh  bile  from  the  hepatic 
duct,  and  then  passes  into  the  duodenum.  The  bile  having  en- 
tered the  intestine,  mixes  with  the  aliment  and  pancreatic  juice 
The  pancreatic  juice  changes  the  digested  aliment  into  a  browt 
mass,  termed  chyme,  and  then  emulsifies  it.  After  being  emuki 
fied,  a  portion  of  the  chyle  is  taken  up  by  the  lacteals  and  enter* 
the  receptaculum  chyli.  In  a  healthy  state  of  the  system,  should 
any  bile  escape  with  the  chyle,  it  is  absorbed  by  the  mesenteric 
glands,  and  returns  to  the  liver  by  the  vena  portae. 

Gall-bladder. 

The  gall-bladder  is  a  pear-shaped  bag  connected  with  the  con- 
cave and  posterior  surface  of  the  liver,  by  the  above  vessels  and 
cellular  membrane.     It  has  four  coats,  termed  peritoneal,  cellular, 


THE  LIVER  AND  ITS  DISEASES.  2<^0 

mu»;lar,  and  villous.  The  villous  coat  is  the  intcrnil  one,  and  is 
thrown  into  numerous  minute  folds,  arranged  in  a  reticular  form, 
filled  with  small  ducts,  or  follicles,  and  glands.  The  latter  secrete 
a  fluid  for  the  protection  of  the  internal  surface. 

Inflammation  of  the  Liver. 

Cattle  and  young  stock,  when  fed  too  high,  or  when  allowed  to 
luxuriate  in  a  rich  meadow,  are  often  attacked  with  an  acute  dis- 
ease of  the  liver. 

Symptoms. — The  principal  symptoms  of  this  malady  are  yellow- 
ness of  the  membrane  which  lines  the  eyelids,  and  covers  that  part 
known  as  the  "  white  of  the  eye."  The  visible  surfaces  of  the 
mouth  are  also  of  a  yellow  tinge.  In  addition  to  the  above  symp- 
toms, the  animal  is  feverish,  thirsty ;  mouth  and  base  of  the  horn?, 
hot ;  pulse,  accelerated ;  breathing,  rather  laborious ;  rumination 
is  suspended,  and  the  animal  is  said  to  have  "  lost  its  cud."  Some 
fullness  will  also  generally  be  observed  on  the  right  side,  in  the 
region  of  the  liver,  and  the  animal  will  occasionally  turn  its  head 
in  that  direction,  as  if  it  were  the  seat  of  pain,  which  is  probably 
the  case ;  yet  the  most  reliable  symptoms,  in  a  disease  of  this  char- 
acter, are  a  yellow  tinge  of  the  visible  surfiices,  accompanied  by 
febrile  symptoms. 

Treatment. — The  most  rational  method  of  treating  this  disease 
is  to  endeavor  to  mitigate  the  inflammatory  diathesis,  and  restore 
the  normal  function  of  the  liver.  In  view  of  accomplishing  these 
desirable  results,  I  recommend  the  following  prescription : 

Glauber  salts 16  oz. 

Powdered  mandrake 2  dr. 

The  salts  should  be  dissolved  in  one  quart  of  tepid  water ;  then 
add  the  mandrake,  and  drench  the  animal  by  means  of  a  common 
porter-bottle.  This  drench  should  be  poured  down  the  oesopha- 
gus in  a  gradual  manner,  so  as  to  prevent  its  being  received  into 
the  rumen,  or  paunch. 

The  patient  should,  if  possible,  be  dieted  on  green  fodder.  If 
such  can  not  be  procured,  some  sliced  cabbage,  turnips,  or  carrots 
may  be  substituted.  A  tea-spoonful  of  mandrake  should  be  given 
duily  in  the  food,  until  the  visible  surfaces  assume  their  natural  color. 
A  curable  case  will  generally  yield  under  the  above  treatment. 


'C\.(.  i^ADDS  VETER.i>/l      AIEDICINE  AND  SURGERY 

Ti  s  disease  sometimes  runs  into  a  chronic  type,  and  is  known 
by  the  yellow  color  of  visible  surfaces,  dull,  sleepy  appearance  of 
the  subject,  and  absence  of  those  acute  symptoms  which  are  inva- 
riably present  in  the  inflammatory  stage.  A  chronic  disease  of  thij» 
character  may  exist  for  months  and  even  years  without  interfering 
very  essentially  with  the  general  health.  Finally,  however,  the 
liver  undergoes  alterations  in  structure,  becomes  hardened  or  in* 
durated,  or  else  it  becomes  tuberculous,  or  is  the  seat  of  hydatids, 
and  the  fluke-worm  is  often  found  in  the  ducts.  The  treatment 
for  chronic  disease  of  the  liver  is  as  follows: 

Powdered  iodide  of  potassium 2  dr. 

Powdered  golden  seal 4  oz. 

Mix. 

Divide  the  mass  into  six  equal  parts,  and  give  one  in  a  little 
water,  every  morning,  on  an  empty  stomach.  The  medicine  may 
be  continued  for  some  length  of  time  without  the  least  danger.  If 
this  treatment  does  not  benefit  the  animal  the  case  is  probably 
incurable. 

Hydatid.s. 

Hydatids,  commonly  known  as  "  flukes,"  consist  of  a  sac  or 
vesicle  filled  with  fluid.  To  the  naked  eye  it  appears  as  a  simple 
enveloping  cyst ;  but  on  examining  it  more  closely,  by  means  of 
the  microscope,  it  shows  many  tunics  or  coats,  and  these  are  the 
rudimentary  cells  in  various  stages  of  growth.  According  to  Cae- 
PENTEE,  these  rudimentary  developments  project  more  and  more 
into  the  parent  cell,  and,  at  last,  become  detached  from  its  wall, 
and  lie  loosely  within  it.  Shortly  before  this  separation,  however, 
the  young  hydatid  is  seen  to  contain  smaller  cells,  which  increase 
in  size  along  with  it.  This  increase  continues  until  the  new  brood 
thus  formed  entirely  fills  the  cavity  of  the  parent,  and  a  further 
increase  causes  the  rupture  of  the  sac  and  the  escape  of  the  progeny  ; 
and  these,  in  their  turn,  undergo  the  same  evolution,  becoming 
parent  hydatids  in  distinct  cysts,  and  setting  free  their  contained 
cells  as  a  subsequent  generation.  These  cystic  entozoa  are  never 
found  in  the  alimentary  canal,  but  are  always  embedded  in  the 
liver,  brain,  or  glands  of  organs.  They  obtain  their  food  by  ab- 
sorption from  the  inner  surface  of  the  investing  membrane.  Hy- 
datids infest  the  various  organs  of  the  bodies  of  all  mammalia, 
and,  although  they  are  said  to  possess  an  independent  existence 


THE  LIVER  AND  ITS  DISEASES.  211 

while  residents  of  the  organ  or  organs  Avhich  they  inhabit,  they 
die  immediately  when  removed  from  their  chosen  habitation. 

"  The  principal  genera  of  cystic  entozoa  are,  cysticercus,  coenuru8, 
echinococcus,  to  which  may  be  added  acephalocystis.  Several  spe- 
cies of  cysticercus  are  enumerated,  but  the  most  common  are  cys- 
ticercus tenicollis  and  cysticercus  cellulosus.  The  former  (taenia 
hydatagenia,  hydatis  globosa)  is  met  with  frequently  in  the  peri- 
toneum and  pleura  of  ruminating  animals  and  pigs.  It  is  often 
generated  in  the  disease  called  rot,  where  another  entozoon,  the 
distoma,  or  fluke-worm,  is  met  with  in  the  biliary  ducts  (liver). 
The  cysticercus  cellulosis  is  found  generally  lodged  in  the  tissues 
of  the  muscles.  It  occurs  sometimes  in  man,  but  more  frequently 
in  animals,  particularly  in  the  hog,  where  it  causes  the  disease  de- 
nominated measles.  Of  the  genus  coenurus  (hydatis  polycephalus), 
the  species  cerebralis  is  found  in  the  brain  of  sheep,  oxen,  and 
other  ruminating  animals.  These  hydatids  on  ^he  brain  of  sheep 
cause  the  disease  called  sturdy,  or  giddiness.  The  hydatids  be- 
longing to  the  genus  echinococcus  are  considered,  by  some,  as  va- 
rieties of  the  acephalocyst.  They  are  commonly  called  granular 
hydatids,  from  the  presence  of  numerous  granules  which  float  in 
the  fluid  of  the  cyst,  or  adhere  to  its  walls.  There  are  two  species 
of  echinococcus.  One,  echinococcus  hominis,  has  been  met  with 
in  the  brain  and  abdomen  of  man,  in  a  few  instances ;  the  other, 
echinococcus  veterinorum,  occurs  in  the  hog  and  other  animals. 

Hydatids  occur  much  less  frequently  in  the  brains  of  cattle  in 
Great  Britain  than  in  other  countries,  as  Youatt  has  correctly  said, 
in  his  treatise  on  the  '  Diseases  of  the  Ox.'  It  occurs  only  in  the 
young  animals.  Indeed,  it  obeys  the  same  laws  that  guide  the 
development  of  the  coenurus  in  the  sheep ;  and  it  is  a  well-estab- 
lished fact  that  it  is  only  when  animals  are  growing  that  the  germs 
for  the  propagation  of  the  bladder-worms  will  be  taken  up,  and 
carried  to  parts  probably  through  the  blood. 

The  success  attending  the  trephine,  in  cases  of  hydatids  in  tht 
brain  of  the  ox,  is  very  great  and  encouraging ;  and  not  only  have 
I  read  interesting  and  convincing  records  on  this  subject,  but,  in 
conversation  with  skillful  and  experienced  veterinarians,  I  have 
learned  that  trephining  is  an  operation  often  to  be  relied  upon."  * 

The  liver  is  sometimes  enormously  enlarged,  in  consequence  of 

*  Pan,  in  the  "  London  Field." 


tLV2  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGEny. 

the  pir:  ence  of  a  numerous  progeny  of  the  fluke-worm.  The  fol- 
lowing case,  contributed  to  the  "  Veterinarian  "  by  Surgeon  J.  B. 
Geegory,  will  serve  to  illustrate  this  matter.  The  morbid  partf; 
referred  to  were  sent  by  Mr.  Gregory  to  the  editor  of  the  "  Vet- 
erinarian," who  makes  the  remarks  inclosed  in  brackets : 

"  The  morbid  parts  I  send  were  taken  from  a  well-bred,  short  - 
horned  cow,  six  years  old,  estimated  to  weigh,  when  fat,  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-five  stones  of  eight  pounds.  She  was  purchased 
in  August  last,  with  a  warranty  to  calve  in  November  following. 
On  September  2d  her  owner  called  on  me,  and  wished  me  to  give 
her  some  medicine,  as  he  thought  she  was  not  quite  recovered  from 
the  effects  of  being  driven  sixteen  miles.  The  medicine  I  sent  had 
a  beneficial  effect,  as  the  cow's  appetite  returned,  and  she  appeared 
to  be  quite  well  again.  After  this  I  heard  no  more  of  her  until 
the  6th  of  January  last,  when  I  was  requested  to  go  and  give  my 
opinion  as  to  her  being  in  calf,  it  being  two  months  beyond  the 
time  she  was  expected  to  calve.  I  found  that  her  appetite  and 
rumination  were  natural,  the  pulse  regular,  and  the  kidneys  and 
bowels  acting  well.  There  was,  however,  a  peculiar  expression  of 
her  countenance,  that  told  of  continuous  pain.  Her  eyes,  also,, 
were  sunk  in  their  orbits,  and  she  had  a  frequent  and  troublesome 
cough.  Her  skin,  likewise,  had  lost  its  pliancy,  and  she  was  sadly 
out  of  condition,  but  no  yellowness  of  the  mouth  or  eyes  was  pres- 
ent. I  first  examined  her  abdomen  externally,  by  percussing  the 
right  side,  with  a  view  of  determining  her  pregnancy;  but  the 
body  my  hand  came  in  contact  with  was  too  large  for,  and  had 
not  the  feel  of,  a  foetus.  As  the  cow  had  occasionally  been  observed 
to  strain,  I  was  now  induced  to  examine  her  per  vaginum,  when. 
I  found  the  os  uteri  to  be  indurated  and  unyielding.  I  could  also 
distinctly  feel  a  round  and  hard  substance,  about  the  size  of  a  large 
cricket-ball,  and  which  I  supposed  to  be  the  right  ovary ;  the  other 
one,  however,  I  could  not  find.  I  told  the  owner  that  the  cow  was 
not  in  calf,  unless  it  were  extra  uterine,  and  that,  in  all  probability, 
the  mass  we  could  feel  from  the  outside  was  a  tumor  within  the 
abdomen.  I  also  added  that  medicine  could  do  no  good  in  such  a 
case.  He  at  once  decided  on  having  her  killed,  which  afforded  me 
the  opportunity  of  making  a  post  mortem  examination.  All  the 
viscera  were  healthy,  with  the  exception  of  those  I  send.  The 
liver,  as  you  will  see,  is  the  organ  principally  affected.  It  weighed^ 
when  first  removed,  or^  hundred  and  forty-six  pounds.     Its  great 


THE  LIVER  AND  ITS  DISEASES.  213 

eke  led  to  its  encroaching  on  the  space  occupied  by  the  other  vis- 
cera, all  of  which  were  more  or  less  compressed.  It  did  not  adhere 
to  the  side  of  the  abdomen,  but  was  firmly  attached  to  the  dia- 
phragm, and  also,  in  places,  to  the  intestines.  In  my  examination 
I  had  the  assistance  of  Mr.  Hearn,  M.  R.  C.  V.  S.,  who  was  re- 
cently your  pupil,  and  who  has,  I  believe,  also  written  t»  you  on 
the  subject.  The  cause  of  the  enlargement  of  the  liver  is  evident 
enough,  being  produced  by  hydatids,  but  I  leave  to  you  to  describe 
the  variety  to  which  they  belong.  I  have  attended  j)ost  mortem 
examinations  of  many  cattle  since  1828,  but  never  met  wah  any 
thing  like  this  before. 

[The  description  given  by  Mr.  Gregory  leaves  us  but  little  to 
say  respecting  this  extraordinary  enlargement  of  the  liver,  as 
stated  by  him.  The  sole  cause  of  its  increase  in  size  was  due  to 
the  presence  of  an  immense  number  of  hydatids  in  the  substance 
of  the  organ.  These  entozoa  belonged  to  the  variety  designated 
the  acephalocystis  endogena,  and  each  cyst  contained  within  it  a 
considerable  quantity  of  the  so-called  echinococci.  In  the  '  Trans- 
actions of  the  Veterinary  Medical  Association,^  for  1842-3,  a  simi- 
lar case  IS  recorded  as  occurring  in  a  pig,  which  is  illustrated  by  a 
colored  plate,  and  which  may  be  said  to  depict  equally  as  well 
the  condition  of  the  liver  of  the  animal  in  question.]" 


Jaundice,  or  Yellows. 

This  disease  is  of  very  common  occurrence  among  horned  crea- 
tures. The  stall-fed  animal  is,  probably,  more  subject  to  it  than 
those  otherwise  fed.  From  this  the  reader  will  infer  that  it  is 
more  likely  to  occur  in  the  winter  or  spring  than  at  any  othei 
season,  which  is  the  case.  In  order  to  prove  this,  let  any  one 
visit  our  markets,  and  note  the  color  of  the  fat  of  beef,  and  he  Avill 
notice  the  yellow  appearance  of  almost  all  the  beef  ofl'ered  for  sale. 
There  may  be  some  exceptions,  yet  this  feature  of  fat  is  a  sure 
fiign  that  the  animals,  while  living,  were  not  entirely  ireo  from 
functional  derangement  of  the  liver.  This  peculi«ar  color,  how- 
ever, is  very  rarely,  if  ever,  found  to  pervade  the  brain,  humors 
of  the  eye,  or  the  milk  during  lactation. 

Occasionally  a  yellow  tinge  of  the  visible  surfaces  (membranes 
of  the  mouth,  nose,  and  eyes)  appears  very  suddenly,  and  is  sup- 
posed to  originate  from  sympathetic  action  of  the  brain  upon  the 


2l4  .ADDS  VETERINARY   MEDICIKE  AND  SDRGERY. 

liver ;  yfit  it  may  arise  in  the  same  sudden  manner,  in  cousequenos 
of  gastro-intestinal  irritation,  produced  by  the  introduction  of 
poisonous  plants  and  rough  food,  such  as  corn-stalks  and  sugar- 
cane, into  the  stomach.  Jaundice,  in  a  very  protracted  form,  often 
owes  its  origin  to  the  presence  of  biliary  calculi.  So  say  the  au- 
thorities ;  but  I  have  examined  many  gall-bladders  after  death, 
yet  have  never  succeeded  in  finding  any ;  and  I  have  inquired  of 
many  slaughterers,  and  am  informed  that  they  never  observed  any 
stones  in  the  gall-bladder ;  yet,  in  various  alkaline  districts  of  this 
country,  I  presume  biliary  calculi  may  be  as  common  as  in  the 
chalky  regions  of  the  old  world.  According  to  concurrent  testi- 
mony, the  presence  of  biliary  calculi  in  the  gall-bladder  of  an  ox 
does  not  interfere  much  with  the  general  health ;  but  they  occasion 
a  jaundiced  appearance,  a  general  eye-sore,  which  renders  yellow 
beef  unacceptable  to  the  palate  of  an  epicure,  and  the  shrewd 
butcher  declines  to  deal  in  any  thing  yellow,  except  pure  "  dust.'^ 
I  know  of  no  symptoms  by  which  the  presence  of  biliary  calculi 
can  be  detected  prior  to  death. 

The  following  paragraph  occurs  in  "  Youatt  on  Cattle,"  and 
may  throw  some  light  on  the  subject : 

"  Sometimes,  they  (calculi)  enter  the  duct  (the  cyst)  which  con- 
veys the  bile  to  the  intestines.  They  are  likely  to  do  this  on  ac- 
count of  their  swimming  on  the  surface  of  the  fluid  which  the 
bladder  contains.  The  cystic  duct  is  large  at  its  union  with  the 
bladder.  It  is  a  continuation  of  the  neck  of  the  bladder,  and  the 
gall-stone  may  be  easily  pressed  into  the  commencement  of  the 
tube ;  but  it  has  scarcely  entered  it  before  its  passage  is  obstructed 
by  the  folds  of  the  inner  coat  of  the  duct.  These  assume  a  semi- 
lunar form,  with  the  edges  projecting  toward  the  bladder,  and  they 
act  as  partial  valves,  retarding  the  progress  of  the  bile,  so  that  it 
may  not  all  be  pressed  out  at  once,  but  gradually  escape  as  the 
process  of  digestion  may  require.  The  gall-stone  being  thus  im- 
pacted, violent  spasmodic  action?  takes  place  in  the  muscles  of  the 
duct,  occasioned  by  the  irritation  of  its  continued  pressure.  It  is 
fortunate,  however,  that,  although  the  muscles  of  these  ducts  act 
with  some  power,  the  obstruction  is  usually,  with  no  great  diffi- 
culty, overcome.  The  duct  distends ;  as  it  distends  these  valvular 
folds  lie  closer  to  the  sides,  and  no  longer  oppose  the  passage  of  the 
calculus,  which  is  pressed  on  until  it  reaches  the  common  duct. 
The  caliber  of  this  tube  is  larger,  and,  unless  tie  calculus  is  of  con-'- 


THE  LIVER  AND  ITS  DISEASES.  21S 

eiderable  bulk,  no  further  difficulty  occurs  until  it  reaches  the 
opening  into  the  duodenum,  which,  being  situated  in  the  center  of 
a  muscular  prominence,  acting  as  a  valve,  and  jireventing  the  pas- 
sage of  all  matters,  whether  fluid  or  solid,  from  the  intestine  into 
the  ducts,  a  new  difficulty  is  opposed  to  the  progress  of  the  gall- 
stones, and  there  is  some  return  of  pain,  and,  in  a  few  cases,  the 
pain  is  evidently  more  intense  than  in  the  early  stage.  At  length, 
this  sphincter  muscle  of  the  diiodenum  dilates,  the  calculus  enters 
the  intestina'  canal,  the  pain  ceases,  and  the  natural  color  of  the 
skin  returns.  In  this  species  of  jaundice,  we  have,  in  addition  tc 
the  yellow  skin,  the  heaving  of  the  flanks,  the  hard,  concentrated 
pulse,  the  diminished  appetite,  the  insatiable  thirst,  and  the  other 
symptoms  of  fever.  Then,  too,  we  have  the  alternate  cold  and 
heat  of  the  ears,  the  roughness  of  the  coat,  the  urine  becoming 
first  of  a  transparent  yellow,  and  then  opaque  red,  saffron-colored, 
or  brown,  and  the  sediment  brown.  The  bowels  are  constipated, 
the  feces  seldom  evacuated,  and,  when  appearing,  are  hard  and 
black." 

Treatment. — Wlien  occasioned  by  the  presence  of  gall  stones,  the 
animal  should  have  a  daily  drench,  composed  of 

Hydrochloric  acid 2  dr. 

Water 1  quart. 

Every  other  day,  give  three  drachms  of  fluid  extract  of  man- 
drake. This  will  arouse  the  liver  to  healthy  and  vigorous  action 
and  will  remove  from  the  intestinal  canal  all  irritating  substances. 

When  jaundice  is  occasioned  by  either  functional  or  organic  dis- 
ease of  the  liver,  I  generally  give  the  following  : 

Fluid  extract  of  mandrake 1   oz. 

Powdered  hyposulphite  of  soda \  oz. 

Water 1  pint. 

Mix, 

Let  this  dose  be  given  every  morning,  before  feeding,  for  five 
or  six  days,  or  until  the  visible  surface  of  the  mouth  becomes  of  a 
more  natural  color.  In  the  day  time  the  animal  should  be  turned 
out  to  grass,  if  the  season  permits. 


SECTIOjS^  XIV. 

DISEASES    OF    THE    SKIN 

Exanthemata,  or  Eruptive  Fever— Manoe — Foul  in  the  Foot— "Warts — 
Gadflies — Yoke  Galls — The  Hair  of  Cattle  an  Epidermic  Appendaok— 
Pemphtgts  or  Vesicular  Eruption — Cracks  in  the  Heels  of  Cattle. 

Exanthemata,  or  Eruptive  Fever. 

EXANTHEMATA  is  the  name  given  to  a  contagious  (some- 
times epizootic)  or  eruptive  fever  which  occurs  among  cattle. 
The  following  cases  will  probably  give  the  reader  a  good  idea  of 
the  cause  and  nature  of  the  malady  now  under  consideration  : 

An  unusual  and  alarming  disease  having  made  its  appearance 
on  the  premises  of  Mr.  Waterman,  at  Warsaw,  I  was  requested 
to  visit  the  place,  in  view  of  ascertaining,  if  possible,  the  nature 
of  the  disease,  its  cause,  and  treatment.  On  arriving  at  the  place 
designated,  I  learned  that  disease  and  death  had  run  riot,  making 
I  terrible  ravages  among  a  herd  of  cattle  which,  only  a  few  weeks 
ago,  numbered  eight  hundred,  but  are  now  reduced  to  six  hun- 
dred. The  loss  of  two  hundred  fine  animals  in  the  course  of  a 
few  weeks  was  a  calamity  calculated  to  alarm  the  husbandmen  in 
the  whole  neighborhood. 

From  information  obtained  on  the  premises,  I  learned  that  no 
disease  of  the  kind  had  ever  prevailed  there,  nor  in  the  regions 
where  the  cattle  had  been  purchased,  but  the  most  positive  evi- 
dence seemed  to  show  that  the  malady  had  a  spontaneous  origin 
on  the  premises  of  the  proprietor.  Some  of  the  animals  were 
purchased  in  Missouri,  and,  when  they  arrived  at  Warsaw,  were 
as  poor  as  Pharaoh's  "  lean  kine,"  splendid  specimens  of  skin  and 
bone.  The  dietary  arrangements  of  the  establishment  were  not 
calculated  to  benefit  their  condition,  their  principal  food  being 
"  slop  "  from  the  distillery.  It  was  not  the  intention  of  the  owmit 
(216) 


DISEASES  OF  THE  SKIN.  217 

to  feed  this  large  herd  of  cattle  exclusively  on  "swj^.,"  but  hia 
stock  of  hay  having  become  exhausted,  and  the  roads  being  in 
very  bad  condition,  it  was  impossible  to  obtain  a  supply  of  the 
same.  In  consequence  the  function  of  rumination,  or  remastica- 
tion,  was  suspended.  The  hot  "swill"  from  the  distillery  failed 
to  distend  the  complex  stomach  of  the  animal  to  a  healthy  ca- 
pacity ;  it  operated  so  as  to  produce  a  lax  state  of  the  bowels, 
amounting,  in  a  large  number  of  cases,  to  actual  diarrhea,  or 
liquid  stools  having  an  offensive  odor.  The  constant  discharge 
from  the  bowels  of  liquid  feces  augmented  the  debility  of  the 
'Meaa  kine."  They  became  afflicted  with  a  mortal  malady,  or 
enzootic  affection,  which  ran  like  wild  fire  through  the  whole 
herd.  It  manifested  itself,  first,  in  a  condition  of  anemia ;  then 
depilation  of  the  hair  took  place;  the  external  surface  of  the 
body,  in  many  cases,  presented  a  raw  surface,  and  the  animals 
seemed  to  be  crazy  to  rub  themselvecs  against  any  fulcrum  that 
would  mitigate  their  intolerable  itchiness.  Many  of  them  got 
down  on  the  floor,  and,  by  contact,  abraded  the  external  surface 
of  the  body  in  many  places,  so  that  the  raw  flesh  was  exposed, 
and,  in  some  cases,  the  hip  bones  protruded.  It  was  noticed  that 
whenever  an  animal  thus  affected  got  down  on  the  floor,  death 
invariably  closed  the  scene.  Some  of  the  creatures  thus  having 
the  finger  of  Death  upon  them  were  charitably  put  out  of  their 
misery,  by  killing  them  outright. 

It  appeared  to  be  of  an  exanthematous  character,  and  conta- 
gious. The  proof  of  its  contagiousness  seemed  to  be  evident,  froni 
the  fact  that  the  whole  herd  were  affected  with  precisely  the  same 
pathological  symptoms ;  namely,  depilation  of  hair,  debility,  erup- 
tions on  the  surface  of  the  body,  anemia,  diarrhea,  etc.  I  might 
be  mistaken  about  the  contagious  element  of  the  disease,  but  give 
my  readers  the  facts,  and  leave  them  to  form  their  own  opinions. 
It  may  be  that  the  evils  to  which  the  animals  were  subjected,  and 
which  was  operative  in  implanting  the  malady  in  the  system  of 
the  first  victim,  was  operative,  and  produced  the  same  in  all  the 
rest  of  the  herd ;  but  I  have  no  proof  of  a  positive  character  to 
offer  in  favor  of  either  theory. 

I  had  supposed  that  the  skin  disease  was,  like  itch,  dependent 
on  the  presence  of  parasites  located  under  the  scarfskin;  but  in 
tlie  use  of  a  good  magnifying  power,  the  supposed  parasites  were 
not  discernible,  but  beneath  the  scarfskin,  in  the  integuments  and 


218  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

eubtissiie^,  were  observed  a  multitude  of  minute  local  beds  ot 
lymph,  iVom  which  sprang  the  superficial  local  malady  on  the 
fikin.  I' 'crustations,  or  scales,  solitary  and  in  clusters,  formea 
wherevei  the  deeper-seated  integuments  were  affected ;  and  in 
some  cas'js,  when  the  scabs  were  rubbed  off,  the  parts  looked  red 
and  inflamed,  and  some  persons  contended  that  the  animals  had 
the  red  or  mad  itch.  Almost  every  person  who  saw  the  animals 
declared  that  itch  was  the  disease;  but,  knowing  that  itch  is  due 
to  the  presence  of  parasites,  and  failing  to  detect  any,  I  could  not 
so  name  the  malady. 

I  examined  very  carefully  the  external  mrface  of  the  body,  yet 
could  not  detect  either  lice  or  parasites  to  account  for  the  intoler- 
able itchiness  which  was  present,  more  or  less,  in  the  whole  herd. 
From  all  the  evidence  I  was  enabled  to  obtain  during  a  brief 
visit,  I  was  forced  to  the  conclusion  that  the  cutaneous  affection 
was  of  an  exanthematous  character,  and  resembled  eczema. 
Nearly  all  the  animals  were  i-n  a  state  of  debility ;  all  had  daily 
been  losing  flesh,  and  those  which  I  had  examined  after  death 
were  anemiac  (bloodless).  Their  muscles  were  pale,  like  those  of 
a  calf  when  bled  to  death.  Their  stomachs  and  intestines  were 
void  of  food ;  the  hot  swill  seemed  to  have  found  no  resting-place 
in  the  digestive  cavities,  but  ran  through  them  like  a  dose  of 
cathartic  medicine.  The  internal  organs  of  those  animals  I  ex- 
amined presented  no  signs  of  disease,  except  that  they  were  pale 
and  bloodless. 

Causes. — The  causes  of  the  disease  may  bo  summed  up  as  fol- 
lows: Debility,  from  insufficient  nutritive  food;  the  filthy  condi- 
tion of  the  cattle-pens  and  surroundings ;  herding  of  too  many 
animals  together  in  a  small  space ;  want  of  pure  air,  exercise,  and 
muscle-making  nitrogenous  fodder. 

Treatment. — I  informed  the  proprietor  of  the  establishment  that 
no  medicinal  remedies  would  be  of  any  avail  unless  the  exciting 
causes  were  removed,  and  suggested  that  the  afflicted  animals  be 
allowed  the  use  of  their  limbs  and  lungs  on  dry  ground,  in  the 
open  air,  within  an  extensive  inclosure,  and  that  they  should  be 
allowed  a  bounteous  supply  of  hay,  corn,  and  corn-stalks;  then 
medicinal  remedies  of  a  tonic,  stimulant,  and  alterative  character, 
which  I  prescribed,  might  prove  beneficial.  For  the  local  affec- 
tion, I  prescribed  linseed  oil,  petroleum,  lime-water,  and  sulphur. 
Several  applications  of  this  compound  were  made,  and  the  subjects 


DISEASES  OF  THE  SRiN.  219 

We.'j  much  benefited  thereby.  Many  of  the  affected  animals, 
however,  were  in  such  a  deplorable  condition  that  I  urged  the 
owner  to  have  them  destroyed,  as  a  deed  of  charity. 


Mange. 

This  disease  is  too  well  known  to  need  any  particular  descrip- 
tion from  me.  It  is  due  to  the  presence  of  parasites ;  hence  it  can 
be  communicated  by  contact  or  touch,  and  is,  therefore,  conta- 
gious. This  latter  fact  suggests  the  propriety  of  removing  the 
diseased  animals  from  the  healthy  ones. 

Treatment. — Let  the  animal  have  a  table-spoonful  of  sulphur  in 
the  food,  for  three  or  four  days  in  succession ;  in  the  mean  time, 
anoint  the  affected  parts  daily  with  a  portion  of  the  following: 

Cod-liver  oil 6  oz. 

Sublimated  sulphur 2  oz. 

Mix. 

Apply  by  means  of  a  sponge. 

In  the  course  of  four  or  five  days,  wash  the  surface  of  the  body 
with  warm  water  and  soap,  and  then  give  the  body  a  thorough 
sponging  with  the  following : 

Lime-water 1  qt. 

Sublimated  sulphur 2  oz. 

The  above  treatment  generally  cures  the  most  inveterate 


Foul  in  the  Foot. 

In  cases  of  this  character  the  animal  is  dead  lame,  and  often  an 
intolerable  stench  arises  from  the  parts  between  the  claws.  This 
is  followed  by  the  discharge  of  sanious  and,  finally,  purulent 
matter.  In  this  stage  astringents  and  antiseptics  are  indicated  • 
therefore  I  recommend  the  following : 

Tincture  of  matico 2  oz. 

Pyroligneous  acid 1  pt. 

»  Glycerine 4  oz. 

Mix. 

Saturate  a  small  piece  of  sponge  with  a  portion  of  the  above, 
and  introduce  it  between  the  "cleft"  of  the  foot;  the  hoof  and 
contiguous  parts  are  then  to  be  bathed  with  the  preparation ;  and. 


220  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGEK/. 

finally,  in  view  of  keeping  the  sponge  in  place,  and  to  produce  a 
good  effect  on  the  external  parts,  a  narrow  bandage  must  be  ap- 
plied, so  as  to  encircle  the  hoof.  If  any  heat  or  tenderness  exist, 
ihe  bandage  should  be  kept  moist  with  cold  water. 


Warts. 

Warts,  as  they  occur  on  cattle,  are  of  three  kinds.     One  makes 
its  appearance  upon  the  skin,  and  consists,  in  part,  of  an  increased 
development  of  the  epidermis  or  scarfskin ;  the  next  kind  origi- 
nates under  the  epidermis,  and,  as  it  grows,  elevates  the  same ;  the 
latter,  however,  is  nothing  more  than  a  common  encysted  fibrous 
tumor,  without  organization.     This  can  readily  be  removed  by 
cutting  down  upon  it,  and  dissecting  out  the  cyst  or  sac  which 
enshrouds  it.     The  epidermic  wart  sometimes  has  a  very  broad 
base,  and,  in  order  to  remove  it,  a  double-armed  ligature  must  be 
sent  through  it,  so  that  it  can  be  tied  in  two  equal  halves.     Oc- 
casionally this  kind  of  wart  is  pendulous— has  a  contracted  neck 
at  its  base.     This  may  be  encircled  by  a  single  ligature,  and,  in 
the  course  of  thirty-six  hours,  will  fall  off.     The  third  kind  of 
wart  is  a  sort  of  fungous  excrescence — not  horny  or  hard,  like 
the   two   former,   but  possessing  great  vascularity,  and,  when 
rubbed  or  bruised,  they  often  bleed  profusely.     I  lately  removed 
one  from  the  inferior  jaw  of  an  ox,  which  bled  very  profusely 
after  the  removal,  and  did  not  cease  until  a  hemostatic  had  been 
repeatedly  applied.     The  hemostatic  was  powdered  matico  leaves, ' 
which  coagulated  the  albumen  of  the  blood.     There  is  great  dan- 
ger in  removing  warts  of  this  kind.    The  following  case,  occurring 
in  the  practice  of  Surgeon  Cartwright,  will  illustrate  the  prop- 
osition : 

"On  the  1st  of  June,  1846,  I  removed  several  warts  from  the 
linea  alba  of  a  year-old  heifer,  belonging  to  Samuel  Worthington, 
Esq.  I  cast  her,  and  cut  them  off  with  the  knife,  and  did  not 
apply  any  thing  to  the  wounds,  as  they  did  not  bleed  an  ounce. 
I  could  see  one  or  two  large  blood-vessels  on  the  surface  of  the 
wounds.  We  loosed  her  from  the  hobbles,  and  then  tied  her  up, 
and  the  wounds  soon  left  off  bleeding.  Gave  her  an  aperient! 
and  left  her  for  the  night. 

The  next  morning  she  was  found  down,  and  could  scarcely  ^et 
op  from  loss  of  blood,  which  continued  to  issue  through  a  large 


DISEASES  OF  THE  SKIN.  -:il 

band  that  was  passed  round  her.  I  was  immediately  sent  for, 
but  was  gone  to  Liverpool.  They,  in  consequence,  applied  to  a 
druggist,  who  sent  some  alum-water,  which  stopped  the  blood. 
In  a  day  or  two  I  saw  her,  but,  as  a  scab  was  then  forming  on  the 
wounds,  I  did  not  meddle  with  it ;  soon  afterward  the  parts  were 
cicatrized. 

There  is  no  doubt  but  that,  after  she  was  left,  she  commenced 
licking  the  wounds,  and  so  brought  on  the  secondary  hemorrhage. 
The  person  who  looked  after  her  believes  that,  had  not  something 
been  done  at  the  time,  she  would  have  bled  to  death.  From  this 
and  other  cases  that  I  have  seen,  I  think  it  absolutely  necessary 
that  we  should  guard  against  the  animals  licking  themselves,  and 
perhaps  it  would  be  quite  as  well  to  apply  the  cautery  to  the 
parts,  after  removing  the  warts,  or  subsequently." 

When  a  large  surface  is  occupied  by  warts  which  do  not  possess 
any  definite  necks,  they  must  be  cut  off  close  to  the  skin,  and  the 
surfaces  thus  exposed  should  be  touched  with  strong  pyroligneous 
acid,  and  then  sprinkled  with  powdered  bloodroot. 

Warts  on  the  teats  are  to  be  removed  by  ligaturing  them  at 
their  base,  by  means  of  saddler's  silk,  or  horsehair.  If  securely 
tied,  so  as  to  obstruct  circulation,  they  drop  off  in  the  course  of 
thirty-six  hours.  Any  sores  which  may  occur  in  consequence  of 
the  removal  of  warts,  can  be  healed  by  covering  them  once  or 
twice  daily  with  a  small  quantity  of  glycerine. 

Gadflies. 

The  gadfly  is  known  to  naturalists  as  the  oestris  bovis.  It  punc- 
tures the  integument  of  cattle,  and  then  deposits  its  ova,  or  eggs. 
In  this  situation  the  ova  mature,  until  they  are  capable  of  enjoy- 
ing an  independent  existence.  They  then  make  their  exit  through 
the  external  outlet,  fall  to  and  burrow  into  the  ground,  and  remain 
there  until  the  period  of  their  metamorphosis  takes  place,  when 
they  assume  the  form  of  winged  insects.  In  this  form  they  mul- 
tiply the  species  by  the  deposit  of  their  ova.  They  probably  occa- 
Bion  much  irritation ;  and,  in  view  of  getting  rid  of  them,  I  usually 
puncture  tht  tumor,  by  means  of  a  thumb-lancet,  and  squeeze  out 
the  parasite. 

The  following  paragraph  is  from  the  pen  of  Gunther  j  and  I 
urge  the  reader,  if  he  be  the  owner  of  live  stock,  to  give  them  ao 


822  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY, 

occasional  dose  of  sulphur;  for  I  contend  that  no  living  creature 
can  ever  be  infested  with  parasites  when  its  system  is  saturated 
with  sulphur : 

"  The  gadfly  not  only  persecutes  healthy  oxen,  by  its  bites,  dur- 
ing summer,  but  also  deposits  its  eggs  in  their  skin,  which  giv€ 
rise  to  tumors  on  the  back  and  other  parts,  in  which  the  larvsE 
become  developed.  They  live  there  on  the  succulent  fluid  %  lic^ 
the  soft  parts  secrete,  and  make  their  escape  thence  in  the  follow- 
ing spring,  in  order  to  become  metamorphosed.  The  greater  the 
number  of  tumors,  the  more  is  the  strength  of  the  animal  dimin- 
ished by  the  pain  and  suppuration.  For  this  reason  we  should 
endeavor  to  free  the  animal,  as  soon  as  possible,  from  these  larvae 
pests,  by  frequently  washing  these  tumors  with  camphorated  brandy 
or  forcibly  compressing  them,  which  either  crushes  the  insect  or 
forces  it  to  make  its  exit.  When  they  have  attained  the  size  of  a 
filbert,  an  incision  must  be  made  into  the  part,  which  is  then  to  be 
covered  with  a  pitch  plaster.  A  few  doses  of  sulphur  are  to  be 
given  internally.  We  are  told  that  those  oxen  which  have  taken 
sulphur  for  a  long  period  of  time  are  not  infested  by  gadflies." 


Yoke  Galls. 

The  exciting  cause  is  local  irritation  occasioned  by  the  yoke. 

Treatment. — So  soon  as  an  abrasion  is  discovered  on  the  neck, 
the  animal  should  be  excused  from  duty  for  a  few  days.  The 
abraded  part  should  be  lubricated  two  or  three  times  daily,  with 
a  small  quantity  of  glycerine.  In  most  cases,  however,  a  few  ap- 
plications of  tincture  of  aloes  and  myrrh  will  produce  a  healthy 
action,  and  thus  restore  the  parts  to  soundness.  Should  there  be 
no  abrasion,  yet  some  tumefaction,  heat,  and  tenderness,  a  cold- 
water  bandage,  renewed  as  occasion  seems  to  require,  will,  in  most 
cases,  have  the  desired  effect.  Occasionally  the  integuments  are  so 
bruised  as  to  induce  induration  (hardening).  Local  induration  in 
the  neck  is  a  morbid  condition  of  parts,  known  to  the  farriers  of 
old  as  "  sit-fast."  The  treatment  consists  in  smearing  the  part 
with  a  portion  of  the  following : 

Iodine \  dr. 

Simple  ointmeDt ,  7  dr. 

Powdered  bloodroot ^  dr. 

Mix. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  SKIN.  223 

A  few  applications  of  a  portion  of  the  above  will  uave  the  eflFect 
of  removing  the  sit-fast,  or  eschar,  when  a  healthy  granulating 
surface  will  appear. 

Some  animals,  owing  to  a  peculiarity  of  constitution,  will 
"  chafe,"  as  the  saying  is,  in  those  parts  which  come  in  contact 
with  the  yoke,  and  no  human  foresight  or  mechanical  contrivance 
can  prevent  it ;  therefore,  in  view  of  protecting  the  parts  against 
th(^  local  irritation  and  its  consequences,  I  recommend  the  follow- 
ing liquid  cuticle : 

Sr;ii::::;::::::::::::::}^^-'p-''- 

After  washing  the  abrasion  with  soap  and  water,  wipe  dry,  and 
smear  it  all  over  with  a  portion  of  the  ibove  invaluable  liquid 
cuticle. 


The  Hair  of  Cattle  is  an  Epidermic  Appendage. 

According  to  Carpenter,  hair  is  an  epidermic  appendage,  "al 
though  not  dev^eloped  upon  the  external  surface,  but  in  the  interior 
of  a  follicle  (sac  or  fold)  formed  by  a  depression  of  the  true  skin. 
This  follicle  is  lined  by  a  continuation  of  the  epidermis  (scarfskin), 
the  cells  of  which  are  developed  in  peculiar  abundance  from  a  spot 
at  its  deepest  portion,  the  dense  exterior  of  the  cluster  thus  formed 
being  known  as  the  "  bulb  of  the  hair,"  while  the  softer  interior 
is  termed  its  pulp.  Although  the  hairs  of  different  animals  vary 
in  the  appearances  they  present,  we  may  generally  distinguish  two 
elementary  principles  corresponding  with  those  which  we  meet 
with  in  the  stem  of  a  feather ;  namely,  a  cortical  resembling  bark, 
and  a  medullary  resembling  marrow.  The  fullest  development 
of  both  substances  is  seen  in  the  spine  hairs  of  the  hedgehogs  and 
in  the  quills  of  the  porcupine,  which  are  but  hairs  on  a  magnified 
scale.  The  cortical  envelope  of  hairs  is  a  continuation  of  the  outer 
scales  or  layers  of  the  epidermis  that  lines  the  follicles,  while  the 
medullary  is  derived  from  the  deeper  stratum,  whose  cells  are  pro- 
duced in  usual  abundance  at  its  coecal  (blind)  extremity ;  and  it  is 
by  the  constant  development  of  new  c  >lls  at  this  point  that  the 
ooniinual  growth  of  the  hair  is  kept  up 


224  dadds  veterinary  medicine  and  surgery. 

Pemphigus,  ob  Vesicular  Eruption. 

lu  t.-e  United  States,  (at  least  in  the  East,)  pemphigus  is  of  rare 
occurrence,  yet  it  has  made  its  appearance  in  Texas  and  in  the 
Western  States.  The  following  symptoms,  which  usually  accom- 
pany this  eruptive  affection,  may  enable  the  reader  to  recognize  it. 

Symptoms. — The  breathing  is  generally  hurried  and  sonorous, 
accompanied  by  a  slight  cough ;  the  animal  shivers,  which  is  o«> 
casioned  by  deranged  and  irregular  nervous  action ;  the  integument 
in  the  regions  of  the  neck,  shoulders,  anus,  loins,  and  haunches  is 
elevated  by  effusion  into  the  cellular  tissue  ;  the  cuticle,  or  external 
tunic  of  the  body,  is  the  seat  of  watery  bladders,  varying  in  size 
from  a  Beverly  bean  to  a  walnut ;  in  other  parts  of  the  skin  a 
serous  or  wat«n'y  fluid  may  be  observed  to  dribble  from  the  hair. 
The  ears  are  drooping  and  moist,  and  their  temperature  is  much 
elevated ;  the  base  of  the  horns  are  hot,  and  the  whole  external 
surface  of  the  body  is  in  the  same  condition ;  the  visible  surfaces — 
namely,  those  of  the  eyes,  mouth,  and  nose — are  highly  injected 
with  a  reddened  yellow  tinge ;  the  tongue  is  swollen  or  tumefied, 
and  an  abundance  of  saliva  flows  from  the  mouth ;  the  pulse  will 
often  run  up  to  80,  yet  may  be  imperceptible  at  the  jaw;  the 
spinal  column  presents  a  convexity,  or  is  arched  upward;  the 
urine  is  scanty  and  dark-colored,  and  the  feces  are  of  a  lighter  color 
than  usual,  showing  very  conclusively  that  the  function  of  the 
liver  is  impaired.  As  the  disease  advances,  the  serous  tumori^ 
burst,  exposing  broad  excoriated  patches. 

Treatment. — Let  a  portion  of  the  following  mixture  be  applied 
to  the  surface  of  the  body,  morning  and  evening : 

Glycerine 2  oz. 

Hyposulphite  of  soda 2  oz. 

Rain-water 1  pint. 

Mix  well  together.  After  this  lotion  has  been  applied  a  feA» 
times,  a  decided  improvement  in  the  skin  will  be  apparent. 

A  few  daily  doses  of  the  following  medicine  must  also  be  given : 

Fluid  extract  of  poke-root 3  dr 

Chlorate  of  potass 4  dr. 

Water ^  pint. 

A  few  years  ago  a  vesicular  epizootic  broke  out  among  cattle 
and  milch  cows  at  Stratford-on-Avon,  England,  the  symptoms  of 
which  are  thus  described  by  J.  Tombs,  V.  S. : 


DISEASES  OF  THE  SKIKi,  225 

"  The  symptoms  were,  increased  pulsation;  copious  discharge  of 
aaliva  from  the  mouth;  respiration,  disturbed.  These  symptoms 
continued  for  two  or  three  days,  when  a  tremendous  inflammaticn 
of  the  integuments  and  ceHular  tissues  set  in,  around  the  coronets 
at  the  heels  and  between  the  hoofs,  causing  exceeding  lameness 
and  excruciating  pain.  The  swelling  quickly  extended  to  the  fe  t- 
iocks.  The  poor  beasts  lay  down  the  greater  portion  of  their 
time — panted  and  perspired  profusely,  with  occasional  deep  groan- 
ing. At  this  stage  of  the  disease  the  mouth  improved.  When 
made  to  get  up;  they  could  hardly  walk,  and  soon  lay  down  again. 
The  beating  of  the  heart  could  be  distinctly  heard  several  yards 
off.  In  some,  all  four  feet  were  affected ;  in  others,  the  fore-feet ; 
others,  the  hind  feet,  and  in  some  one  fore-foot.  Suppuration  took 
place  in  the  integumentary  and  cellular  membranes,  five  or  six 
days  subsequently  to  the  original  attack,  which  process  afforded 
great  relief.  In  the  interim  they  became  emaciated,  and  lost  their 
milk.  In  a  day  or  two  after,  extensive  sloughing  supervened  of 
the  integuments  of  the  coronets 'and  heels,  and  between  the  hoofs, 
leaving  the  pedal  and  coronary  bones  bare,  with  deep  sinuses. 
The  putrid  parts,  while  sloughing,  emitted  an  unbearable  stench. 
Granulations  of  new  flesh  soon  formed,  which  became  prominent 
and  luxuriant,  forcing  the  hoofs  wide  apart.  At  this  period  of  the 
complaint  the  urgent  and  painful  symptoms  considerably  lessened ; 
the  animals  could  then  hobble  out  of  the  yard  into  a  grass-field 
close  by,  where  they  were  prior  to  the  attack.  The  milk,  flesh, 
and  strength  began  to  return,  and  the  lameness  slowly  diminished, 
as  the  thickening  of  the  integuments  and  cellular  membrane  be- 
came absorbed.  New  hoofs  formed,  which  in  some  grew  irregu- 
larly, and  caused  great  tenderness  for  some  length  of  time." 


Cracks  in  the  Heei^  of  Cattle. 

Cracked  heels  are  generally  more  prevalent  in  the  horse  than 
cow;  yet  as  I  have  had  an  opportunity  of  seeing  and  prescribing 
for  a  few  cases  of  this  character,  I  shall  give  the  reader  the  benefit 
of  my  experience,  so  that,  when  cases  of  this  character  do  occur, 
the  farmer  may  know  what  to  do.  Some  persons  suppose  that  un- 
jleanliness  is  the  sole  cause  of  cracks.  This  is  not  the  case ;  the 
subjects  are  predisposed  to  a  humory  condition  and  congestion  of 
the  feet. 

15 


226  DADD'S  VETERL\AKV  MEDICINE  AND  SURGEKi 

Treatment. — The  part  must  first  be  sponged,  or,  rather,  washed, 
with  tepid  water,  slightly  alkalized  with  a  small  quantity  of  car- 
bonate of  soda.  I  prefer  soda  instead  of  soap.  The  latter  is  apt 
to  irritate  the  parts;  and  there  exists  no  dirt  nor  morbid  matter 
which  can  not  be  removed  by  an  alkaline  wash.  After  cleansing 
the  parts,  apply  a  portion  of  the  following : 

Pyroligneous  acid 2  oz. 

Kerosene ....  1  oz. 

Olive  oil 3  oz 

Mix. 

Apply  by  means  of  a  piece  of  sponge.  The  parts  should  be 
dressed  once  per  day,  and  oftener  if  necessary.  The  edges  of  the 
crack  sometimes  become  inverted.  In  this  case  procure  a  small 
piece  of  linen,  form  it  into  a  pad,  and,  after  smearing  its  surface 
with  a  portion  of  the  above  preparation,  apply  it  so  as  to  press  the 
lips  of  the  gap  together,  and  then  bind  it  on. 

If  the  disease  be  constitutional,  which  may  be  inferred  from  the 
fact  that  the  animal  is  said  to  be*  "subject  to  it  "in  the  winter, 
then  a  few  doses  of  alterative  medicine  may  be  given.  The  fol- 
lowing forms  a  very  excellent  stimulating  alterative: 

Iodide  of  potassium ^  oz. 

Water 1  quart. 

Tincture  of  sassafras 4  oz. 

Mix. 

Give  a  wine-glassful  every  morning,  before  feeding-time. 


SECTION    XV. 

VARIOUS    OPERATIONS    AND    DISEASES. 

*;asteation — Enzootic  Milk  Sickness,  or  Trembles — Improved  Method  of 
Milking — Diseased  Thymus  Gland — Cords  in  Young  Calves — Steamed  and 
Cooked  Food  for  Stock — Cheap  Fodder  for  Cows — Black  Tongue — Fbao- 
tdred  Bones — Fractured  Radius  of  a  Calf — Light  in  Barns — Diarrhea 
in  Calves — Sprains  or  Strains — Spaying  Cows. 

Castration. 

I  LABOR  under  an  impression  that  the  husbandmen  of  this 
country  commit  some  awful  mistakes  in  the  theory  and  prac- 
tice of  castration.  The  usual  practice  is  to  castrate  the  calf  from 
one  to  three  months  after  birth.  This  is  evidently  done  to  the 
manifest  injury  of  form,  size,  and  muscular  development.  The 
operation  may  tend  toward  fattening  the  animaj,  and  improving 
the  epicurean  quality  of  its  meat ;  and  it  may  render  the  animal 
docile,  and  thus  increase  his  usefulness ;  but  his  strength,  stamina, 
and  endurance  are  compromised  by  early  castration.  If  animals 
are  needed  as  working  oxen,  they  should  not  be  castrated  until 
they  have  attained  the  age  of  three  or  four  years.  At  these  peri- 
ods the  muscles  of  the  neck  and  chest  have  undergone  remarkable 
developments,  and  the  animals  have  strength  and  endurance  to 
make  really  valuable  oxen  for  work ;  whereas,  if  castrated  at  too 
early  a  period,  the  muscles  of  the  forward  parts  are  always  defect- 
ive, lank,  and  lean.  I  am  aware  that  there  are  difficulties  in  the 
way  of  keeping  bulls  up  to  the  age  here  indicated ;  yet  the  experi- 
ment has  been  tried,  in  this  country  and  elsewhere,  to  the  entire 
satisfaction  of  the  parties  that  made  the  experiments ;  therefore,  J 
recommend  farmers  not  to  castrate  calves  intended  for  work-oxen 
until  their  muscular  system  is  well  developed ;  and  even  in  view 
of  obtaining  good  beef,  and  developing  the  propensity  to  fatten, 

(227) 


2'2^  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY 

I  sliould  let  the  calves  remain  uneastrated  for  six  months  or  more. 
It  has  been  nr^ied,  by  some  writers,  that  the  danger  of  castration 
is  less  in  yonng  than  adnlt  animals.  This  may  be  correct,  yet  I 
apprehend  but  little  danger  in  castrating  either  a  horse  or  bull  at 
any  age,  provided  the  creature  is  in  the  enjoyment  of  health,  and 
the  operation  be  properly  performed. 

In  many  parts  of  France  the  bull-calf  is  castrated  by  means  o' 
a  curious  species  of  torsion,  termed  bistournage.  The  animal  i.. 
thrown  and  secured.  The  operator  places  himself  behind  the  ani 
mal,  and  opposite  to  the  tail ;  he  seizes  the  testicles  with  both  his^ 
hands,  and  pushes  them  violently  u})ward  and  downward  several 
times,  in  order  to  destroy  their  adhesion  to  their  coverings.  He 
continues  this  manipulation  until  he  thinks  that  he  has  produced 
sufficient  lengtJiening  of  the  cords,  and  dilatation  of  the  bag  itself. 
He  then  puslies  up  the  left  testicle  as  nearly  as  possible  to  the 
ring,  leaving  the  right  one  low  in  the  bag;  he  seizes  the  cord 
of  the  right  testicle  between  the  finger  and  thumb  of  the  left 
hand,  about  an  inch  above  the  testicle,  and,  grasping  the  bottom 
of  the  scrotum  with  his  right  hand,  he  turns  the  testicle,  and 
[)ushes  it  forcibly  upward,  until  he  has  reversed  it,  and  its  inferior 
extremity  is  uppermost.  Some  little  practice  is  required  in  order 
leadily  to  eftect  this.  Then,  the  right  hand  holding  the  testicle 
while  the  left  hand  raises  the  cord,  the  testicle  is  turned  round 
from  right  to  left  four  or  five  or  six  times,  until  there  is  a  degree 
<it"  tension  and  difficulty  in  the  turning,  which  indicates  that  the 
spermatic  vessels  are  so  far  compressed  or  obliterated  as  to  be 
tieprived  of  the  power  of  secreting  or  conveying  the  seminal  fluid. 
The  testicle  is  by  this  means  brought  up  nearly  to  the  abdominal 
ring,  where  it  is  retained  by  turning  the  scrotum  over  it,  while 
the  let\  testicle  is  brought  down,  reversed,  and  turned  in  the  same 
?iianner.  Last  of  all,  in  order  to  prevent  the  untwisting  of  the 
cords  and  the  descent  of  the  testicles,  the  operator  grasps  the  bot- 
tom of  the  scrotum  in  his  left  hand,  and,  holding  one  end  of  a 
piece  of  cord,  eighteen  inches  in  length,  and  about  as  large  as  a 
quill^  between  his  teeth,  and  having  the  other  end  in  his  right 
hand,  he  makes  with  it  several  turns  round  the  scrotum  with  con- 
siderabl  3  firmness  below  and  close  to  the  testicles,  yet  not  so  tightly 
as  quite  to  stop  the  circulation  of  blood  through  the  bag.  This  ia 
taken  away  at  the  end  of  the  second  day,  after  which  the  testicles 
will  remain  fixed  against  the  abdomen,  and  will  gradually  wither 


VAPrOUS  OPERATIONS  AND  r»la"ASE.-5.  ti"l 

awty.     The  animal  is  usually  bled  after  dm  operation,  and  half 
of  its  allowance  of  food  taken  away. 

I  lately  castrated  two  horses,  at  the  respective  ages  of  twelve 
and  .<?«"-venteeH  years,  and  they  have  both  done  well;  yet,  if  they 
had  been  ''  prepared,"  as  the  books  recommer:d,  I  might  have  lost 
both  animals ;  and  I  verily  believe  that  the  once  popular  method 
»f  physicking  (prostrating)  animals  before  castration  has  been  the 
ause  of  mcny  unnecessary  deaths. 

In  castrating  bullocks,  I  apply  a  Ugature  around  the  whole 
oord,  for  it  is  not  always  safe  to  oerely  ligature  the  spermatic 
artery,  as  the  reader  will  perceivf;  by  reading  the  following  para- 
graph : 

Herring  has  ob'^erved  that,  after  tying  the  spermatic  artery 
without  difficult)-,  in  two  places,  and  cutting  between  them,  the 
spermatic  cord  being  then  cut  across  two  inches  below,  arterial 
hemorrhage  sometimes  ensued.  It  is  easy  to  account  for  blood 
flowing  through  the  spermatic  veins,  after  this  operation,  by  a 
retrograde  circulaJon  in  the  wide  vessels;  but,  as  regards  the 
arterial  hemorrhage,  Herring  .vas  in  doubt,  until,  after  several 
injections  of  the  spermatic  cord,  he  found  that  the  spermatic  ar- 
tery often  divides  into  two  nearly  equal  branches ;  if  but  cue  be 
tied,  on  removing  the  testicles,  the  other  division  bleeds.  Hex.- 
RiNG  afterward  injected  several  testicles  and  spermatic  cords  of 
bulls,  and  found  an  extraordinarily  rich  net-work  of  veins,  which 
differs  in  many  points  from  the  j)ampiniform  plexus  of  the  sper- 
matic cord  in  man,  horse,  dog,  etc.  In  the  spermatic  cord  of  the 
horse,  we  observe  the  artery  making  a  large  number  of  curves  on 
itself  until  it  reaches  the  testicle ;  and  from  the  latter  organ  arise 
numerous  veins,  which  coil  upward,  but  now  join  in  severs' 
branches  which  pass  up  with  the  artery,  anastomosing  at  inter 
vals,  and  forming  a  net-work,  the  meshes  of  which  are  in  thp 
shape  of  parallelograms.  In  the  bull,  on  the  contrary,  the  vein* 
are  exceedingly  numerous,  and  spin  round  the  artery  like  the  ten- 
drils :f  a  climbing  plant  round  a  wire;  and  this  is  seen  high  up 
in  the  abdomen,  so  that,  in  successful  injections,  the  spermatio  ar- 
tery is  completely  hidden. 

Some  persons  may  object  to  the  plan  of  applying  a  ligature 
tround  the  whole  cord,  and  Youatt  speaks  of  it  as  a  cruel  op- 
eration. I  can  not  conceive  how  there  can  be  any  more  cruelty 
in  it  than  when  the  "  clams  "  are  used.     The  pressure  on  the  cord 


280  .JADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  gURGERy. 

is  the  batiie;  and  all  the  difference  is,  I  use  saddler's  silk  insteaa 
of  wooden  clams.  I  have  castrated  a  great  number  of  animals, 
at  all  ages,  by  means  of  a  ligature  around  the  cord,  and  have  never 
met  with  loss  or  accident. 

Method  of  Castration. — There  is  very  little  danger  in  castrating 
a  young  calf,  and  it  is  very  rare  that  a  surgeon  is  ever  called  upon 
to  perform  the  operation ;  yet  1  would  advise  persons  who  are  in 
the  habit  of  castrating  these  young  animals  to  make  free  openings 
into  the  scrotum  and  inner  covering  of  the  testicles.  This  inner 
covering  is  called  tunica  vaginalis.  If  too  small  an  opening  be 
made,  the  swollen  cord  will  be  imprisoned  by  the  divided  edges 
of  the  tunica  vaginalis,  which  will  untimately  end  in  hardening 
or  scirrhosity  of  the  end  of  the  cord,  or  else  th^re  will  be  scrotal 
abscess.  A  large  opening  into  the  scrotum  ana  tunic  is  necessary, 
in  order  to  postpone  union  of  the  external  parts,  until  the  tissues 
above  and  within  have  healed. 

When  castrating  bullocks,  I  either  secure  them  in  the  trevis 
and  partly  etherize  them,  or  else  cast  them  with  the  hobbles  (see 
cut  of  instruments),  and  render  them  completely  insensible  by 
ether.  I  then  grasp  the  scrotum,  between  the  belly  and  testicle, 
and  make  an  incision  on  one  side  and  at  the  lower  part  of  the 
scrotum  sufficiently  large  to  allow  the  testicle  to  escape.  The 
testicle  then  hangs  by  the  cord.  A  ligature  is  then  passed  around 
the  latter,  which  must  be  tied  tight  enough  to  compress  the  blood- 
vessels and  prevent  after-bleeding.  The  cord  is  then  divided,  and 
one  end  of  the  string  may  be  cut  very  close  to  the  knot,  so  that  a 
slight  pull  will  untie  it.  The  other  testicle  is  to  be  proceeded  witli 
in  the  same  manner,  and  the  operation  is  complete.  It  is  proper, 
however,  to  return  the  cord  within  the  inner  tunic,  or  covering  of 
the  testicle,  and  one  end  of  the  ligature  is  left  long  enough  to  hang 
out  of  the  wound.  In  the  course  of  a  week,  if  the  ligatures  do 
not  come  away,  a  slight  pull  will  detach  them. 

]  never  make  use  of  any  dressing,  except  when  a  bad  odor  arisen 
from  the  parts.  The  be«t  remedy,  under  such  circumstances,  1^- 
diluted  pyroligneous  acid,  in  the  following  proportions: 

Pyroligneous  acid 3  oz. 

Water 15  oz. 

Mix. 

Let  the  parts  be  well  cleansed,  night  and  morning,  with  a  por 
tion  of  the  above.     Should  any  undue  amount  of  swelling  ensue. 


VARIOUS  OPERATIONS  AND  DISEASES.  231 

the  parts  are  to  be  rubbed  occasionally  with  an  ounce  or  two  o. 
sweet  spirits  of  niter. 

I  find  that  exercise  operates  favorably  in  preventing  scrotal 
swelling,  which  is  a  condition  of  the  parts  known  to  surgeons  as 
local  effusion  (dropsy)  ;  and,  as  exercise  at  pasture  always  tends  to 
reduce  these  kinds  of  swellings,  I  generally,  if  the  weather  per- 
mits, place  the  castrated  animal  under  the  care  of  "  Doctor  Green,"' 
(a  good  jtasture,)  where  the  patient  can  vitalize  its  blood  with  pure 
air,  promote  the  integrity  of  the  whole  system  by  voluntary  exer- 
cise of  the  muscles,  and  partake  of  herbage  calculated  to  benefit  the 
whole  animal  economy. 

Enzootic  Milk  Sickness,  or  Trembles. 

The  cause  or  origin  of  enzootic  milk  sickness  (commonly  de- 
nominated "  trembles  ")  is  a  subject  of  much  speculation.  Various 
are  the  opinions  and  conclusions  of  medical  and  non-medical  men. 
It  has  been  asserted  that  a  creeping  vine,  known  to  luxuriate  in 
forest  regions,  occasions  the  disease.  The  theory  is  that  this  vine, 
or  vegetable  parasite,  is  matured  in  the  latter  months  of  summer, 
or  the  first  autumnal,  at  which  season  of  the  year  the  grass  becomes 
dry  and  tough,  when  the  cattle  resort  to  the  timbered  land  for 
sustenance,  feeding  upon  the  (supposed)  vine ;  and  as  the  animal 
is  (without  satisfactory  evidence)  susceptible  to  its  (imaginary) 
influence,  it  often  sickens  and  dies;  yet,  strange  to  relate,  many 
animals  located  in  the  same  regions  escape  the  pest.  And,  in 
order  to  sustain  this  faulty  theory,  we  are  informed  that  the  lucky 
creatures  who  live  and  die  at  a  respectable  bovine  age  know 
enough  to  give  the  poisonous  plant  the  go-by.  This  is  nothing 
more  than  mere  speculation,  for  the  disease  very  frequently  occurs 
when  the  ground  is  covered  with  snow. 

Dr.  Graff  informs  us  that  the  general  appearance  of  the  in- 
fected districts  is  somewhat  peculiar.  "  The  quality  of  the  soil 
is,  in  general,  of  an  inferior  description.  The  growth  of  timbei 
is  not  observed  to  be  so  luxuriant  as  in  situations  otherwise  simi- 
lar, but  is  scrubby,  and  stunted  in  its  perfect  development,  in 
many  instances,  simulating  what,  in  the  West,  is  denominated 
•  barrens.' " 

;Now,  it  is  possible  that  these  barrens  do  not  furnish  a  sufficient 
amount  of  carbon,  in  the  form  of  food,  for  the  metamorohoses  of 


282  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

the  tissues ;  and  if  we  take  into  consideration  that  the  animal  re- 
ceives, during  the  day,  while  in  search  of  this  food,  a  large  supplj 
of  oxygen,  and  at  the  same  time  the  waste  of  the  body  is  increased 
by  the  extra  labor  required  to  select  sufficient  nutriment — it  being 
scanty  in  such  situations — then  it  follows  that  this  disproportion 
between  the  quantity  of  carbon  ir  the  food  and  that  of  oxygen 
absorbed  by  the  skin  and  lungs  musi  induce  a  diseased  or  abnor- 
mal condition.  The  animal  is  sometimes  fat,  at  others  lean.  Some 
of  the  cows  attacked  with  this  disease  were  fat,  and  in  apparent 
health,  and  nothing  peculiar  was  observed  until  immediately  pre- 
ceding the  outbreak  of  the  fatal  symptoms.  The  presence  of  fat 
is  generally  proof  positive  of  an  abnormal  state ;  and,  in  such 
cases,  the  liver  or  spleen  is  often  diseased.  The  blood  then  becomes 
loaded  with  fat  and  oil,  and  is  finally  deposited  in  the  cellular  tis- 
sues. The  reader  will  now  -understand  how  an  animal  accumulates 
fat,  notwithstanding  it  be  furnished  with  insufficient  diet.  -All 
that  I  wish  to  contend  for  is,  that  in  such  cases  vital  resistance  is 
compromised.  We  are  told  that,  in  the  situation  alluded  to,  veg- 
etation was  stunted,  etc. ;  and  knowing  that  vegetables  are  com- 
posed of  nearly  the  same  materials  which  constitute  animal  organ- 
ization— the  carbon  or  fat  of  the  former  being  deposited  in  the 
seeds  and  fruits,  and  that  of  the  latter  in  the  cellular  structure — 
then  we  can  arrive  at  but  one  conclusion ;  namely,  that  any  loca- 
tion unfavorable  to  vegetation  is  likewise  ill-adaj)ted  to  preserve 
the  integrity  of  animal  life. 

In  connection  with  this,  it  must  be  remembered  that,  during  the 
night,  the  soil  emits  excrementitious  vapors,  which  are  taken  into 
the  animal  system  by  the  process  of  respiration.  In  the  act  of 
rumination,  vapor  is  also  inclosed  in  the  globules  of  saliva,  and 
thus  reaches  the  stomach.  Many  plants  which,  during  the  day, 
may  be  eaten  with  impunity  by  cattle,  actually  become  poisonous 
during  the  night  I  This,  I  am  aware,  will  meet  with  some  oppo- 
sition, to  combat  -which  I  quote  from  Liebig  : 

"How  powerful,  indeed,  must  the  resistance  appear  which  the 
v^ital  force  supplies  to  leaves  charged  with  oil  of  turpentine  or 
+.annic  acid,  when  we  consider  the  affinity  of  oxygen  for  these 
compounds !  This  intensity  of  action,  or  of  resistance,  the  plan* 
obtains  by  means  of  the  sun's  light,  the  effect  of  which,  in  chem- 
ical actions,  may  be,  and  is,  compared  to  that  of  a  very  high  tem- 
^>erature  (modera^^e   red  heat).     During   the   night   an  opposite 


VARIOUS  OPERATIONS  AND  DISEASES.  233 

process  goes  on  in  the  plant.  We  see,  then,  that  the  constituents 
of  the  leaves  and  green  parts  combine  with  the  oxygen  of  the 
air — a  property  which  in  daylight  they  did  not  possess.  From 
these  facts  we  can  draw  no  other  conclusion  but  this:  ti.dt  the 
intensity  of  the  vital  force  diminishes  with  the  abstraction  of 
light ;  that  with  the  approach  of  night  a  state  of  equilibrium  k 
established,  and  that  in  complete  darkness  all  those  constituents 
of  plants  which,  during  the  day,  possessed  the  power  of  sepa- 
rating oxygen  from  chemical  combinations,  and  of  resisting  its 
action,  lose  their  power  completely. 

A  precisely  similar  phenomenon  is  observed  in  animals.  The 
living  animal  body  exhibits  its  peculiar  manifestations  of  vitality 
only  at  certain  temperatures.  When  exposed  to  a  certain  degree 
of  cold,  these  vital  phenomena  entirely  cease.  The  abstraction  of 
heat  must,  therefore,  be  viewed  as  quite  equivalent  to  a  dimi- 
nution of  the  vital  energy.  The  resistance  opposed  by  the  vital 
force  to  external  causes  of  disturbance  must  diminish,  in  certain 
temperatures,  in  the  same  ratio  in  which  the  tendency  of  the  ele- 
ments of  the  body  to  combine  with  the  oxygen  of  the  air  increases. 

It  is  obvious  that  the  cause  of  the  generation  of  force — namely, 
the  change  of  matter — is  diminished,  because,  with  the  abstraction 
of  heat,  as  in  the  plant  by  abstraction  of  light,  the  intensity  of  the 
vital  force  diminishes.  It  is  also  obvious  that  the  momentum  of 
force  in  a  living  part  depends  on  its  proper  temperature,  exactly 
as  the  effect  of  a  falling  body  stands  in  a  fixed  relation  to  certain 
other  conditions;  for  example,  to  the  velocity  attained  in  falling. 
When  the  temperature  sinks,  the  vital  energy  diminishes;  when 
it  again  rises,  the  momentum  of  force  in  the  living  parts  appears 
once  more  in  all  its  original  intensity.  The  production  of  force 
for  mechanical  purposes,  and  the  temperature  of  the  body,  must, 
consequently,  bear  a  fixed  relation  to  the  amount  of  oxygen  which 
can  be  absorbed  in  a  given  time  by  the  animal  body. 

The  quantities  of  oxygen  which  a  whale  and  a  carrier's  horse 
can  inspire  in  a  given  time  are  very  unequal.  The  temperature 
as  well  as  the  quantity  of  oxygen  is  much  greater  in  the  horse. 
The  force  exerted  by  a  whale,  when  struck  with  the  harpoon,  his 
body  being  supported  by  the  surrounding  medium,  and  the  force 
exerted  by  a  carrier*s  horse,  which  carries  its  own  weight  and  a 
heavy  burden  for  eight  or  ten  hours,  must  both  bear  the  same 
ratio  to  the  oxygen  consumed.     If  we  take  into  consideration  the 


'Id'i  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  ANi^  SURGERY. 

time  during  which  the  force  is  manifested,  it  is  obvious  that  the 
amount  of  force  developed  by  the  horse  is  far  greater  than  in  tlie 
case  of  the  whale. 

In  climbing  high  mountains,  where,  in  consequence  of  e  res- 
piration of  a  highly  rarefied  atmosphere,  much  less  oxygen  :s  con- 
veyed to  the  blood,  in  equal  times,  than  in  valleys  or  at  the  level 
of  the  sea,  the  change  of  matter  diminishes  in  the  same  ratio,  and 
with  it  the  amount  of  force  available  for  mechanical  purposes. 
For  the  most  part,  drowsiness  and  want  of  force  for  mechanical 
exertions  come  on ;  after  twenty  or  thirty  steps,  fatigue  compels  us 
to  a  fresh  accumulation  of  force  by  means  of  rest  (absorption  oi 
oxygen  without  waste  of  foiv,e  in  voluntary  motions.)" 

In  the  situations  alluded  to  we  generally  find  poisonous  and 
noxious  plants,  with  an  abundance  of  decayed  vegetable  matter. 
An  English  writer  has  said :  "  The  farmers  of  England  might 
advantageously  employ  a  million,  at  least,  of  additional  laborers 
in  clearing  their  wild  domains  of  noxious  plants,'"  which  would 
amply  repay  them  in  the  superior  quality  of  their  produce.  They 
would  then  feel  the  truth  of  that  axiom  in  philosophy,  '  that  he 
who  can  contrive  to  make  two  blades  of  grass,  or  wholesome  grain, 
grow  where  one  poisonous  plant  grew  before,  is  a  greater  bene- 
factor to  the  human  race  than  all  the  conquerors  or  heroes  who 
have  ever  lived.' " 

The  noxious  plants  found  in  such  abundance  in  the  Western 
States  are  among  the  principal  causes,  either  directly  or  indirectly, 
of  the  great  mortality  among  men,  horses,  cattle,  and  sheep.  The 
hay  would  be  just  as  destructive  as  when  in  its  green  state,  were  it 
not  that,  in  the  process  of  drying,  the  volatile  and  poisonous  prop- 
erties of  the  buttercup,  dandelion,  poppy,  and  hundreds  of  similar 
destructive  plants  found  in  the  hay,  evaporate.    It  is  evident  that 


*  The  American  farmers  are  just  beginning  to  wake  up  on  this  subject,  and 
before  long  I  hope  to  see  our  pasture  lands  free  from  all  poisonous  plants.  Dr. 
Whitlaw  says:  "A  friend  of  mine  had  two  fields  cleared  of  buttercups,  dande- 
lion, ox-eye,  daisy,  sorrel,  hawk-weed,  thistles,  mullein,  and  a  variety  of  other 
poisonous  or  noxious  plants.  They  were  dried,  .burnt,  and  their  ashes  strewed 
over  the  fields.  He  had  them  sown  as  usual,  and  found  that  the  crops  of  hay 
ana  pasturage  were  more  than  double  what  they  had  been  before.  I  was  fur- 
nianed  with  butter  for  two  summers,  during  the  months  of  July  .and  Augusi. 
The  butter  kept  for  thirty  days,  and  proved,  at  the  end  of  that  time,  better  than 
that  fresh  churned  and  brought  to  the  Brighton  or  Margate  markets.  It  would 
bear  salting  at  that  season  of  the  year." 


VARIOUS  OPERATIONS  AND  DISEASES.  Opib 

if  auimals  h:ive  partaken  of  such  plants,  although  death  in  all  cases 
do  not  immediately  follow,  there  must  be  a  deficiency  of  vital  resist- 
ance, or  loss  of  equilibrium,  and  the  animal  is  in  a  negative  state. 
It  is,  consequently,  obvious  that  when  in  such  a  state  it  is  more 
lialik;  tc  receive  impressions  from  external  agents ;  in  short,  is  more 
sultject  to  disease,  and  this  disease  may  assume  a  definite  form,  reg- 
ulated by  location.  It  has  been  observed,  also,  that  in  the  infected 
districts  the  water  is  not  of  the  best  kind,  neither  is  it  very  abund- 
ant; hence,  in  consequence  of  its  insufficiency  or  unwholesome 
character,  the  equilibrium  of  health  may  become  disturbed. 

A  loss  of  vital  resistance  may  also  be  the  result  of  exposure. 
It  has  been  observed  that  cattle  which  have  been  housed  regularly 
have  escaped  the  attacks  of  this  malady,  and  that,  when  suffered 
to  run  at  large,  they  were  frequently  seized  with  it.  Therefore  we 
may  conclude  that  the  indirect  causes  of  milk  sickness,  or  trem- 
bles, are  any  thing  that  disturbs  the  general  health. 

Now,  let  us  suppose  that  one  or  a  combination  of  the  preceding 
causes  has  operated  so  as  to  produce  an  abnormal  state  in  the 
system  of  a  cow.  She  is  then  suffered  to  remain  in  the  unhealthy 
district  during  the  night.  While  there,  exposed  to  the  emanations 
from  the  soil,  she  requires  the  whole  force  of  her  vital  energies  to 
ward  off  chemical  decompositions,  and  prevent  encroachment  on 
the  various  functions.  A  contest  commences  between  the  vital 
force  and  chemical  action,  and,  after  a  hard  conflict,  in  their  in- 
cessant endeavors  to  overcome  each  other,  the  chemical  agency 
obtains  the  ascendency,  and  disease  of  a  putrid  type  (milk  fever) 
is  the  result.  The  disease  may  not  immediately  be  recognized, 
for  the  process  of  decomposition  may  be  insidious ;  yet  the  milk 
and  flesh  of  such  an  animal  may  communicate  the  disease  to  man 
and  other  animals.  It  is  well  known  that  almost  any  part  of  ani- 
mal bodies  in  a  state  of  putrefaction,  such  as  milk,  cheese,  muscle, 
pus,  etc.,  communicate  their  own  state  of  decomposition  to  other 
bodies.  Many  eminent  medical  men  have  lost  their  lives  while 
dissecting,  simply  by  putrefactive  matter  coming  in  contact  with 
a  slight  wound  or  puncture.  Dr.  Geaff  made  numerous  experi- 
ments on  dogs,  with  the  flesh,  etc.,  of  animals  which  died  of  milk 
sickness.  He  says:  "My  trials  with  the  poisoned  flesh  were, 
for  the  most  part,  made  on  dogs,  which  I  confined;  and  I  often 
watched  the  effect  of  the  poison  when  administered  at  regular  in- 
tervals.    In  the  space  of  forty-eight  hours  from  the  commence- 


236  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  ANl>  SURGERT. 

ment  of  Vie  administration  of  either  the  butter,  cheese,  or  flesh,  J 
have  ob.-.9rved  unequivocal  appearances  of  their  peculiar  action, 
while  the  appetite  remains  unimpaired  until  the  expiration  of  the 
fourth  or  fifth  day."  From  the  foregoing  remarks,  the  reader 
will  agree  with  me  that  the  disease  is  of  a  putrid  type,  and  has  a 
definite  character.  What  is  the  reason  of  this  definite  character? 
All  diseases  are  under  the  control  of  the  immutable  laws  of  Na- 
ture. They  preserve  their  identity  in  the  same  manner  that  races 
of  men  preserve  theirs.  Milk  sickness  of  the  malignant  type 
luxuriates  in  the  locations  referred  to,  for  the  same  reasons  that 
yellow  fever  is  peculiar  to  warm  climates  and  consumptions  to 
cold  ones,  and  that  different  localities  have  distinct  diseases ;  for 
example,  ship  fever,  jail  fever,  etc. 

Before  disease  can  attack  and  develop  itself  in  the  bodies  of 
men  or  animals,  the  existing  equilibrium  of  the  vital  powers  must 
be  disturbed ;  and  the  most  common  causes  of  this  disturbance  I 
have  already  alluded  to.  In  reference  to  the  milk,  butter,  cheese, 
etc.,  of  infected  animals,  and  their  adaptation  to  develop  disease 
in  man^  and  in  other  locations  than  those  referred  to,  I  observe 
that  when  a  quantity,  however  small,  of  contagious  matter  is  in- 
troduced into  the  stomach,  if  its  antiseptic  properties  are  the  least 
deranged,  the  original  disease  (milk  sickness)  is  produced,  just  as 
a  small  quantity  of  yeast  will  ferment  a  whole  loaf.  The  trans- 
formation takes  place  through  the  medium  of  the  blood,  and 
produces  a  body  identical  with,  or  similar  to,  the  exciting  or  con- 
tagious matter.  The  quantity  of  the  latter  must  constantly  aug- 
ment ;  for  the  state  of  change  or  decomposition  which  affects  one 
particle  of  the  blood  is  imparted  to  others.  The  time  necessary 
to  accomplish  it,  however,  depends  on  the  amount  of  vital  resist- 
ance, and,  of  course,  varies  in  different  animals.  In  process  of 
time  the  whole  body  becomes  affected,  and,  in  like  manner,  it  ia 
communicated  to  other  individuals;  and  this  may  take  place  by 
simply  respiring  the  carbonic  acid  gas  or  morbific  materials  from 
the  lungs  of  diseased  animals  in  the  infected  districts. 

My  principal  object  is  to  show  what  are  the  causes  of  thi* 
malady,  so  that  the  farmer  can  prevent  its  occurrence,  for  the 
treatment  is  very  unsatisfactory.  A  writer  in  the  "  Atlanta  Med- 
ical Journal "  informs  us : 

''Where  stock  cattle,  for  instance,  are  kept  pent  up  until  after 
the  morning's  dew,  they  are  never  affected,  though  they  are  pas- 


VARIOUS  OPERATIONS  AND  DISEASES.  287 

tured  where  it  is  known  to  abound.  Again  :  if  food,  in  the  form 
of  bundles  of  hay,  or  fodder,  or  sheaves  of  oats,  has  been  cast  on 
the  surface  of  the  earth  where  it  was  suspected  to  exist,  fed  to 
calves  or  a  calf,  during  the  morning,  while  wet  with  dew,  the 
result  is  the  death  of  the  animal.  Facts  like  these  are,  to  my 
mind,  evidence  conclusive  of  its  origin  in  the  form  of  vapor.  But 
let  it  originate  from  whence  it  may,  it  is  only  known  in  timbered 
land,  and  there  disappears,  after  being  once  cleared,  cultivated, 
and  seeded  with  tame  grass,  which  shows,  again,  if  of  a  telluric 
source,  that  the  toxical  agent  lies  near  the  surface,  and  is  de- 
stroyed by  being  shifted  from  its  lurking-place." 

SymptoTTis. — The  principal  symptoms  are  irregular,  nervous  ac- 
tion ;  trembling,  tremors,  spasms,  and,  lastly,  convulsions.  The 
other  symptoms  are  such  as  are  noticed  in  affections  of  a  low 
typhoid  type.  The  pulse  is  quickened,  yet  small;  the  tongue 
slightly  swollen,  and  coated  with  a  brown  fur ;  the  urine  is  high- 
colored,  and  the  bowels  are  constipated ;  the  membranes  of  the 
eyes  are  reddened,  and  the  breath  has  a  bad  odor. 

Treatment— U  the  bowels  are  constipated,  I  should  give  an 

aperient,  composed  oi 

Glauber  salts 10  oz. 

Powdered  ginger 1  dr. 

Grolden  seal 1  dr. 

Tepid  water « 1  quart. 

Then  let  the  whole  length  of  the  spine  be  well  rubbed  with  tivo 
two  or  three  ounces  of  oil  of  cedar.  Should  the  breath  or  excre- 
ments have  a  very  bad  odor,  the  following  must  be  given : 

Pyroligneous  acid 2  oz. 

Glycerine 4  oz. 

Water 1  quart. 

Mix. 

Dose,  a  wine-glassful  three  or  four  times  daily,  until  an  improve- 
ment  takes  place. 

To  relieve  the  nervous  irritation  and  trembling,  I  give  twc 
drachms  of  tincture  of  Indian  hemp,  in  a  little  water,  twice  daily. 
The  patient  is  to  be  kept  on  oatmeal  gruel,  the  quantity  to  be 
regulated  according  to  actual  necessity,  A  curable  case  will  be 
very  likely  to  improve  under  the  above  treatment ;  if  it  fail,  the 
owner  will  have  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  the  patient  was 
not  destroyed  by  meddlesome  medication. 


238  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 


Improved  Method  of  Milking. 

The  first  process  in  the  operation  of  milking  is  to  make  tje 
cow's  acquaintance,  and  give  her  to  understand  that  the  milker 
approaches  her  with  none  other  than  friendly  intentions ;  for  if  he 
swears,  scolds,  or  kicks  her,  she  is  likely  to  prove  refractory,  and 
may,  possibly,  give  the  uncouth  and  unfeeling  milker  the  benefit 
of  her  heels,  which,  in  my  opinion,  he  is  justly  entitled  to. 

Before  commencing  to  milk  the  animal  she  should  be  fed,  oi 
have  some  kind  of  fodder.  In  the  enjoyment  of  the  mastication 
of  the  same,  her  attention  is  withdrawn  from  the  milker's  opera- 
tions, and  the  milk  is  not  "  held  up,"  as  the  saying  is,  but  is  yielded 
freely.  The  milker  should  not  sit  off  at  a  distance,  like  a  coward, 
but  his  left  arm  should  be  in  close  contact  with  the  leg  of  the  cow, 
80  that  she  can  not  kick.  If  she  make  the  attempt  when  the 
milker  is  in  close  proximity  with  the  cow's  body,  the  former  merely 
gets  a  push  instead  of  a  blow.  Before  commencing  to  milk,  the 
teats  are  to  be  washed  with  cold  water  in  warm  weather,  and  warm 
water  in  winter.  The  object  is  to  remove  accumulated  dirt,  which 
otherwise  would  fall  into  the  milk-pail,  to  the  disgust  of  persons 
who  love  pure  milk  and  hate  uncleanliness.  Here  is  a  chance  for 
improvement. 

The  best  milker  is  a  merciful  man.  The  udder  and  teats  axe 
highly  organized  and  very  sensitive,  and  these  facts  should  be  taken 
into  consideration,  especially  when  milking  a  young  animal,  for 
the  parts  are  sometimes  excessively  tender,  and  the  hard  tugging 
and  squeezing  which  many  poor  sensitive  creatures  have  to  endure 
at  the  hands  of  some  thoughtless,  hard-fisted  man,  are  really  dis- 
tressing to  witness.  A  better  milker  than  even  a  merciful  man  is 
a  woman.  The  principal  part  of  the  milking  in  private  estaolish- 
ments  in  foreign  countries,  is  done  by  women ;  and  in  these  United 
States  there  are  thousands  of  capable  women  out  of  employment 
that  might  be  advantageously  employed,  in  private  and  dairy  es- 
tablishments, as  milkmaids.  Therefore,  in  view  of  improvement 
in  the  art  of  milking,  I  advise  farmers  to  learn  their  wives,  daugh- 
ters, and  female  domestics  how  to  strip  the  cows.  An  indolent 
person  (slow  coach)  should  never  be  suffered  to  touch  a  oow's  teats. 
The  process,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  is  painful ;  therefore,  the  beat 
milker  is  the  one  tha  can  abstract  the  milk  in  the  quickest  time. 
Finally,  milk  the  cow  iry.     The  last  of  the  milk  is  the  most  val- 


VAtllOUS  OPERATIONS  AND  DISEASES.  230 

liable,  yet  Mr.  Hurry-up  can  not  spare  time  to  attend  to  tnis  mat- 
ter; consequently  he  loses  the  best  of  the  strippings,  and  actualK 
ruins  the  cow  as  a  milker. 


Diseased  Thymus  Gland. 

The  thymus  gland,  commonly  known  as  the  sweetbread,  is 
usually  found,  after  adult  life,  in  the  region  of  the  thoracic  duct, 
just  within  the  anterior  or  front  part  of  the  chest ;  yet  the  greatest 
activity  and  development  of  this  gland  is  during  foetal  life.  This 
is  one  of  the  glands  which,  according  to  GoODSiE,  is  an  involuted 
portion  of  the  germinal  membrane,  acting  as  the  first  assimilating 
organ  possessed  by  the  foetus ;  hence,  as  soon  as  the  animal  is  born, 
and  the  legitimate  organs  of  digestion  are  called  into  operation, 
the  thymus  dwindles  away,  and,  in  some  cases,  almost  disappears. 
Occasionally,  however,  it  becomes  enlarged,  and  has  to  be  removed 
by  a  surgical  operation.  The  following  instructive  case  occurred 
in  the  practice  of  W.  Lyon,  V.  S.,  and  appeared  in  the  "  London 
Veterinarian :" 

"  I  beg  to  forward  for  your  inspection  a  tumor,  being  the  largest 
of  two  which  were  removed  on  the  loth  instant  from  under  the 
cervial  vertebrae  of  a  yearling  quey,  and  which,  although  now  con- 
siderably shrunk  and  dry,  weighs  forty-nine  ounces,  and  measures 
twenty-three  inches  in  its  greatest  circumference.  It  rested  upon 
the  oesophagus,  trachea,  blood-vessels,  and  sternal  muscles,  except- 
ing when  the  animal's  head  was  depressed  ;  so  much  so,  that  had 
the  same  degree  of  pressure  been  made  on  the  gullet,  by  a  tumor 
existing  elsewhere,  as  within  the  chest,  permanent  hove,  etc.,  would 
have  been  produced. 

The  operation  consisted  in  an  incision  through  the  integuments 
of  the  ofP-side  of  the  neck,  over  and  parallel  to  the  course  of  the 
vessels,  which  exposed  part  of  the  levator  humeri ;  the  next  incis- 
ion being  made  right  through  that  muscle,  in  the  direction  of  its 
fibers,  which  brought  to  view  part  of  the  great  tumor,  exposing 
also  the  sub-scapulo-hyoid  muscle,  which  was  considerably  but 
favorably  displaced  by  the  pressure  of  the  lesser  tumor,  which  in- 
"^lined  to  the  ofP-side.  The  remaining  incisions  were  made,  with 
';are,  through  numerous  ligamentous-like  bands  and  cellular  mem- 
brane, by  wnich  the  tumor  was  attached  to  the  inter- vertebral  and 
other  muscles.     The  lesser  tumor,  which  was  more  superficial,  was 


240  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

then  removed  in  the  same  manner,  after  having  been  very  useful 
in  keeping  the  said  sub-scalpulo-hyoid  muscle  out  of  the  way. 
Both  tumors  seemed  to  be  indifferently  supplied  with  blood.  Ex- 
cepting the  cutaneous  veins,  which  yielded  less  than  an  ounce  of 
blood,  there  were  no  blood-vessels  divided;  hence  no  artery  nor 
vein  required  to  be  taken  up.  A  few  interrupted  stitches  wore 
put  in,  and  as  the  quey  had  necessarily  to  stand  during  the  opei-a- 
tion,  there  being  only  one  man  and  a  boy  present  at  its  commence- 
ment, orders  were  given  to  let  go  the  under-jaw,  when  the  animal 
immediately  sprang  over  a  four-foot  wall.  I  have  not  seen  her 
since,  but  have  learned  that  she  is  doing  well. 

I  need  make  no  remark  on  the  origin,  progress,  structure,  locality^ 
and  treatment  of  such  tumors,  such  being  already  well-known  to 
v-eterinary  practitioners.  Farmers,  however,  would  do  well  (now 
that  the  disease  is  very  common)  to  feed  off  cattle  so  affected  oi 
predisposed,  when  it  is  possible  to  do  so,  and  not  to  breed  from  sucli 
stock,  as  it  is  generally  difficult  and  sometimes  impossible  to  re- 
move the  tumors  when  once  formed.  It  would  also  be  for  theii 
interest  to  pay  less  attention  to  the  direct  treatment,  by  intrusting 
that  in  the  hands  of  a  practitioner,  and  to  attend  more  to  the  neg- 
ative treatment,  such  as  blood-letting,  avoiding  refrigerants,  such 
as  nitrate  of  potash,  and  all  other  mc^dicines  that  tend  to  diminish 
the  fibrine  of  the  blood,  particularly  all  mercurial  preparations, 
and,  in  general,  to  avoid  every  thing  formerly  used  in  the  treat- 
ment of  scrofula  in  the  human  subject.  But  this  they  will  not 
always  attend  to  when  any  thing  is  wrong  Avith  any  of  their  cattle. 
They  must  not  merely  get  direct  treatment,  but,  without  due  dis- 
crimination, they  must  share  and  share  alike." 

Coeds  in  Young  Calves. 

A  disease  to  which  the  above  name  is  given  occasionally  appearis. 
among  young  calves.  It  is  an  inflammatory  affection,  and  particu- 
larly manifests  itself  in  contractions  of  the  sinews  (tendinous 
structures) ;  hence  the  name,  "  cords.''  White  contends  that 
calves  are  most  liable  to  be  affected  by  this  disorder  during  the 
first  days  or  weeks  after  they  are  dropped.  If  they  outlive  five  ci: 
six  weeks,  they  are  seldom  in  any  danger.  Calves  that  suck  theii 
mothers  are  not  so  liable  to  the  disease  as  those  which  are  reared 
by  hand.     The  greatest  number  of  calves  that  fall  a  sacrifice  *o 


VARIOUS  OPERATIONS  AND  DISEASES.  241 

tbis  dist.'ase,  if  not  the  whole  of  them,  are  those  which  are  closely 
confined  to  the  house  from  their  birth,  without  ever  being  exposed 
to  the  free,  open  air.  It  is  a  well-known  fact  that  calves  which 
are  dropped  and  remain  in  the  fields  are  in  little  or  no  danger. 
Mr.  Lam'Rence,  in  his  "  Treatise  on  Cattle,"  observes,  that  "  a 
complaint  called  the  cords  has  recently  destroyed  a  number  of 
young  calves  in  Scotland,  both  such  as  have  been  calved  abroad 
and  under  shelter.  Those  which  are  brought  up  by  hand  are  most 
liable,  and  the  most  dangerous  period  is  the  first  week  or  two  after 
birth." 

Treatment. — As  a  preventive  I  should  give  the  new-born  calf 
(provided  we  have  no  discharge  from  the  bowels)  a  wine-glassful 
of  castor-oil ;  yet  if  the  mother  yield  milk,  and  the  calf  imme- 
diately after  birth  imbibes  the  same,  there  is  no  need  of  giving  any 
medicine.  The  object  in  giving  castor-oil  is  to  purge  off  the  me- 
conium— first  excrement.  The  first  flow  of  milk,  however,  will 
meet  the  emergency,  and  it  is  only  in  cases  of  suspended  lacteal 
6(!cretion,  or  in  cases  of  acute  garget,  when  the  cow  can  not  yield 
milk,  that  I  recommend  the  castor-oil.  Should  the  oil  purge  the 
calf  too  actively,  twenty  drops  of  the  oil  of  anise-seed  or  pepper- 
mint, may  be  given  in  half  a  pint  of  flour  gruel.  Should  the 
animal  be  dangerously  attacked,  and  the  contractions  of  the  tendi- 
nous structures  violent,  let  the  little  creature  be  placed  in  a  warm 
bath  for  a  few  minutes ;  then  give  him  a  good  rubbing  with  coarse 
towels,  after  which  he  will  probably  do  well. 

Steamed  and  Cooked  Food  foe  Stock. 

In  view  of  fattening  neat  stock,  and  augmenting  the  quantity 
of  milk  in  dairy  cows,  I  recommend  the  use  of  steamed  and  cooked 
food.  It  has  been  satisfactorily  proved  that  fat  cattle  of  the  best 
quality,  may  be  produced  by  feeding  them  en  boiled  food. 

Dr.  Whitlaw  says:  "On  one  occasion,  a  number  of  cows  were 
selected  from  a  large  stock,  for  the  express  purpose  of  making  the 
trial ;  they  were  such  as  appeared  to  be  of  the  best  kind,  and  those 
that  gave  the  richest  milk.  In  order  to  ascertain  what  particular 
food  would  produce  the  best  milk,  difffrent  species  of  grass  and 
clover  were  tried  separately,  and  the  quality  and  flavor  of  the 
butter  were  found  to  vary  very  much.  But  what  was  of  the  most 
importjnoe,  many  of  the  grasses  were  found  to  be  ccated  with 
16 


^42  DADD'S  VEi'ERINARY  MEDICINL  ..hD  SURGERY. 

ailicia,  or  decomposed  sand,  too  hard  and  insoluble  for  the  stom- 
achs of  cattle.  In  consequence  of  this  the  grass  was  cut  and  well 
steamed,  and  was  found  to  be  readily  digested ;  and  the  butter 
that  was  made  from  the  milk  much  firmer,  better  flavored,  and 
would  keep  longer  without  salt  than  any  other  kind.  Another 
circumstance  that  attended  the  experiment  was  that,  in  all  t'le 
various  grasses  and  grains  that  were  intended  by  our  Creator  ^ 
food  for  man  or  beast,  the  various  oils  that  enter  into  their  com- 
position were  so  powerfully  assimilated  or  combined  witli  the 
other  properties  of  the  farinaceous  plants,  that  the  oil  partook  of 
the  character  of  essential  oil,  and  was  not  so  easily  evaporated  as 
that  of  poisonous  vegetables ;  and  experience  has  proved  that  the 
same  quantity  of  grass,  steamed  and  given  to  the  cattle,  will  pro- 
duce more  butter  than  when  given  in  its  dry  state.  This  fact  being 
established  from  numerous  experiments,  then,  there  must  be  a 
great  saving  and  superiority  in  this  mode  of  feeding.  The  meat 
of  sucb  cattle  is  more  wholesome,  tender,  and  better  flavored  than 
when  fed  on  the  ordinary  food. 

"  A  mixed  diet  (boiled)  is  supposed  to  be  the  most  economical 
for  fattening  cattle.  '  A  Scotchman,  who  fattens  one  hundred  and 
fifty  head  of  Galloway  cattle  annually,  finds  it  most  profitable  to 
feed  with  bruised  flaxseed,  boiled  with  meal  or  barley,  oats  or 
Indian  corn,  at  the  rate  of  one  part  flaxseed  to  three  parts  meal, 
by  weight — the  cooked  compound  to  be  afterward  mixed  with 
cut  straw  or  hay.  From  four  to  twelve  pounds  of  the  compound 
are  given  to  each  beast  per  day.'  The  editor  of  the  '  Albany  Cul- 
tivator' adds:  'Would  it  not  be  well  for  some  of  our  farmers  who 
stall-feed  cattle  to  try  this  or  a  similar  mode?  We  are  by  no 
means  certain  that  the  ordinary  food  (meaning,  probably,  bad  hay 
and  corn-stalks)  would  pay  the  expense  of  cooking ;  but  flaxseed 
is  known  to  be  highly  nutritious,  and  the  cooking  would  not  only 
•'acilitate  its  digestion,  but  it  would  serve,  by  mixing,  to  render  the 
other  food  palatable,  and,  by  promoting  the  appetite  and  health 
of  the  animal,  would  be  likely  to  hasten  its  thrift.' " 

An  article  on  steamed  food  for  stock  lately  appeared  in  the  col- 
umns of  the  "Mark  Lane  Express."  It  does  not  sustain  my 
theory  exactly,  yet  the  closing  paragraph  proves  all  I  contend  for 
at  the  commencement  of  this  article.  It  is  my  opinion  that,  in 
order  to  test  the  real  value  of  steamed  over  raw  food,  the  experi- 
ments must  be  conducted  with  great  care,  and  be  continued  for 


VARIOUS  OPERATIONS  AND  DISEASES.  243 

Bome  lime,  during  whicli  it  must  not  be  expected  tkat  the  animal 
will  thrive  in  health  and  flesh,  unless  it  have  an  occasional  meal 
of  its  more  natural  food  in  its  raw  state.  What  I  mean  by  the 
"  real  value  "  of  steamed  food,  is  its  usefulness  in  the  animal  econ- 
omy, as  a  co-agent  with  the  unsteamed  articles  of  fodder;  and, 
considerable  discretion  will  be  needed  in  making  selections  among 
articles  of  food,  some  of  which  might  be  improved,  or,  rather, 
rendered  more  acceptable  to  the  palate  and  convenient  for  masti- 
cation, while  others  might  be  deteriorated  by  the  same  process.  I 
select  the  following  from  the  above  source : 

**  As  to  steaming  food  for  cattle,  there  is  considerable  difference 
of  opinion  among  theoretical  writers.  Among  practical  men  there 
is  little  difference  of  opinion,  especially  where  experiments  have 
been  individually  undertaken.  The  late  Mr.  Howden,  of  Law- 
head,  East  Lothian,  undertook  a  series  of  experiments  on  feeding 
cattle  with  steamed  food.  Lots  of  cattle  of  similar  age  and  breed- 
ing were  selected  and  divided.  Those  cattle  fed  on  turnips  and 
potatoes,  given  raw,  made  rather  greater  progress  than  those  fed 
on  the  prepared  food,  equal  quantities  being  given.  The  differ- 
ence was  slight ;  still  it  was  perceptible,  the  rate  of  progress  being 
tested  by  girthing  the  animals,  and  the  condition  generally,  by 
handling.  The  experiments  were  carried  on  for  more  than  one 
season,  with  nearly  the  tame  result.  A  lot  of  young  cattle,  a  year 
and  a  half  old,  fed  on  ooiled  beans,  made  very  rapid  progress,  and 
left  a  profit  beyond  payment  for  their  food  consumed.  They  were 
cheap  when  purchased,  and  the  value  of  beef  was  at  the  time  rela- 
tively high  with  that  of  lean  cattle.  Of  course,  the  straw  wis  not 
])repared,  either  by  steaming  or  cutting  into  chaff.  Other  exper- 
iments with  steamed  food  have  been,  from  time  to  time,  undertaken 
in  that  county,  and  with  nearly  the  same  result.  In  every  case 
that  came  under  our  observation,  the  preparing  of  food  by  steaming 
and  boiling  was,  after  a  time,  given  up.  In  feeding  dairy  stock 
when  in  milk,  steaming  and  boiling  food  is  known  to  be  profita- 
ble ;  but  the  health  of  the  animal  sometimes  suffers,  compared 
with  that  of  cows  kept  partly  on  raw  and  partly  on  prepared 
food." 


24 i  dadds  veterinary  medicine  and  surgery. 

Cheap  Fodder  for  Cows. 

Straw  contains  much  farinaceous  aliment.  The  attention  of 
agriculturists  in  France  has  recently  been  directed  to  the  discov- 
ery of  a  method  of  converting  straw  into  a  kind  of  bran.  The 
discovery  has  been  claimed  by  two  individuals.  The  first  is  i 
miller,  near  Dijon,  Avho,  it  is  said,  on  trying  the  mill-stone  of  a 
new  mill,  discovered  the  possibility  of  converting  straw  into  a 
nourishing  food ;  the  second,  M.  Joseph  Maitre,  of  Villotte,  near 
Chatillon.  This  distinguished  agriculturist,  known  for  the  purity 
and  perfection  of  his  breeds  of  sheep,  conceived  the  idea  of  con- 
verting into  farina  not  only  the  straw  of  wheat  and  other  grains, 
but  of  hay,  trefoil,  lucern,  sanfoin,  etc.  His  efforts  have  been 
perfectly  successful,  and  his  discovery  arrived  at,  not  by  chance, 
but  by  long  experiment  and  research.  The  aliment  which  he  ha» 
produced  is  said  to  be  a  complete  substitute  for  bran.  It  is  given 
to  sheep  and  lambs,  who  consume  it  with  avidity,  and  may  be 
given  to  all  other  graminivorous  animals  as  a  grateful  and  sub- 
stantial food.  We  know,  in  this  country,  that  the  mere  chopping 
of  straw  adds  greatly  to  its  powers,  by  facilitating  mastication 
and  digestion.  We  may  believe  that  a  more  perfect  comminution 
of  its  parts  will  produce  a  corresponding  effect,  and  extend  very 
widely  the  uses  of  straw  and  other  fodder  as  a  means  of  feeding 
our  domestic  animals.  This  sort  of  aliment  is  very  excellent, 
when  combined  with  a  sufficient  amount  of  nutrimental  matter, 
fur  animals  whose  systems  lack  the  requisite  amount  of  phos- 
phates and  phosphoric  acids.  A  milch  cow,  for  example,  whose 
lacteal  vessels  yield,  in  the  form  of  milk,  the  above  equivalents 
may  be  benefited  by  an  occasional  feed  of  straw  meal. 

Black  Leg,  or  Anthrax. 

Various  are  the  names  given  to  an  affection  of  the  above  kind. 
Som*^  persons  call  it  inflammatory  fever,  gangrene,  etc.  Then 
again  it  gets  its  name  from  the  region  in  which  it  first  a])peared. 
So,  if  it  first  appears  in  the  region  of  the  thigh,  it  is  called  quarter 
ill,  quarter  evil,  black  quarter,  joint  murrain,  etc. ;  hence  it  ap- 
pears to  have  as  many  names  as  there  are  locations  for  it. 

The  Nature  Oj  Black  Leg. — Youatt,  and  other  orthodox  vet' 
trinarv  writers  contend  that  this  affection  is  a  pure  inflammatory 


VARIOUS  OPERATIONS  AND  DISEASES.  2'i5 

fevbi,  yet,  at  the  same  time,  they  admit  that  catth;  of  all  descrip- 
tions, ages,  and  conditions  are  subject  to  it.  Now,  I  think  it  will 
be  very  difficult  to  prove  that  inflammatory  fever  can  attain  a 
very  high  grade  in  the  system  of  an  animal  in  poor  condition. 
The  very  reverse  is  the  case ;  for  disease  of  a  low  typhoid  type, 
and  those  which  are  known  to  run  a  rapid  course,  are  apt  to 
pounce  upon  animals  having  but  little  vital  resi.stance — being  out 
of  condition,  as  the  saying  is. 

In  my  opinion,  this  is  an  epizootic  affection,  and,  like  most  epi- 
zootics, its  pathology  must  necessarily  be  obscure.  In  applying 
the  terms  black  leg,  black  quarter,  etc.,  to  this  affection  (epizootic 
or  enzootic)  leads  us  into  error  in  supposing  that  it  is  merely  a 
local  affection,  limited  to  a  certain  part,  when,  in  fact,  it  is  a  gen- 
eral affection,  showing  itself  in  various  parts  of  the  economy  at 
the  same  time.  For  example,  in  the  early  stage,  when  a  limb  or 
part  is  swollen  and  distended  with  gas,  the  various  organs  and 
functions  of  the  body  are  more  or  less  disturbed.  Even  in  the 
ejirly  stage  the  respirations  are  short  and  quick ;  pulse,  accelerated 
(s.  mere  fluttering  action,  scarcely  perceptible) ;  the  coat  stares ; 
rumination  is  suspended;  the  bowels  are  constipated,  and  the 
nervous  system  is  affected ;  for  the  beast  staggers,  and  soon  be- 
comes comatose ;  death  frequently  takes  place  in  the  course  of  from 
twelve  to  twenty-four  hours.  It  will  be  perceived,  therefore,  that 
the  local  affection  is  not  proportionate,  in  degree  or  extent,  to  the 
severity  and  magnitude  of  the  general  symptoms ;  therefore  it  is 
a  general  disease. 

The  autopsy  clearly  indicates  the  ravages  which  this  epizootic 
or  enzootic  makes  on  the  general  economy.  Youatt  informs  us 
that  "  the  chief  appearances  "after  death  will  be  venous  congestion 
every- where.  It  affects  both  of  the  pleura,  the  whole  sub.'-tance 
of  the  lungs,  brain,  and  peritoneum;  the  intestines  and  slcmacb 
are  also  affected.  Therefore  what  we  perceive  externally,  in  th«: 
form  of  tumors,  emphysema,  ulcers,  sloughing,  and  mortification 
are  only  the  symptoms  of  a  general  malady.  Mr.  Erxes  informs 
us,  through  the  pages  of  the  "  Veterinarian,"  that  "  black  quar 
ler"  (which  is  the  same  as  'black  leg')  is  neither  more  nor  less 
than  that  dreadful  malady  of  horses  and  cattle  called  by  the  French 
charbon.  Anthrax  would,  perhaps,  be  the  better  appellation,  see- 
ing its  characters  are  a  hard,  circumscrioed  tumor,  exceedingly 
painful,  with  tension  and  burning  heat  in  the  subcutaneous  oel- 


24G  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

lular  tissue.  This  is  often  depressed  in  its  center,  and  sometime 
preceded  by  a  small  opening. 

According  to  authorities,  "  the  tumor  of  black  leg,  though  small 
at  first,  suddenly  increases  in  size,  sometimes  to  that  of  a  child's 
head.  Gangrene  soon  supervenes,  beginning  in  the  center  and 
extending  to  the  circumference,  which  rapidly  converts  the  Avhole 
into  an  eschar  of  a  black  color,  similar  to  a  piece  of  charcoal ; 
hence  its  name — charbon.  The  eschar  is  sometimes  several  inches 
in  diameter,  and  is  almost  always  either  preceded  or  accompanied 
by  bladders,  whicli  form  a  sort  of  areola  around  it.  There  is  also 
always  an  cedematous  swelling,  more  or  less  considerable,  owing 
to  an  emphysematous  state,  and  an  infiltration  of  serum  or  sero- 
gelatine  into  the  cellular  tissue,  which  crackles  on  pressure,  caused 
by  the  presence  of  gases.  The  danger  and  rapidity  of  the  diseaso. 
are  such  that,  when  an  animal  is  attacked,  after  a  violent  access 
of  fever,  it  falls  a  sacrifice  to  it  in  a  few  hours,  rarely  exceeding; 
twenty-four  or  thirty-six.  All  animals  are  subject  to  it,  but  the 
herbivorous  more  so  than  others.  It  is  either  epizootic  or  enzootic ; 
the  first  is  the  most  destructive." 

I  now  consider  the  point  settled  regarding  the  nature  of  the 
disease ;  namely,  it  is  an  epizootic  or  enzootic  affection,  and,  of 
course,  is  subject  to  the  same  laws  which  govern  diseases  of  this 
type.  This  will  explain  the  otherwise  unaccountable  variatioDS 
which  are  observed  in  the  symptoms  of  the  affection  when  pre- 
vailing in  different  localities,  and  it  also  enables  us  to  account' for 
the  great  losses  which  Messrs.  Shortfeed  and  Overfeed  are  con- 
tinually encountering.  The  fact  is,  all  overfed  animals  may  he 
ranked  as  gluttons,  and  all  half-starved  animals  furnish  a  savoiy 
morsel  for  the  great  epizootic  pathological  glutton,  which,  like  the 
epidemic  one  that,  hovering  around  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  a 
few  years  ago,  destroyed  several  thousands  of  its  inhabitants  ere 
it  touched  a  single  sober  citizen.  When  this  disease  ranges  in  a 
single  locality,  it  is  supposed  to  have  a  spontaneous  origin.  Then 
the  term  enzootic  is  applied  to  it;  and  if  it  prevail  among  the 
cattle  of  an  extensive  region,  then  it  is  called  epizootic. 

Causes. — The  causes  of  this  affection  are  as  obscure  as  those  of 
cholera,  influenza,  potato  rot,  etc.  They  seem  to  appear  inde- 
pendent of  local  causes,  occur  at  uncertain  intervals,  prevail  for 
indefinite  periods,  and  run  their  course  in  a  short  space  of  time. 
It  is  supposed  by  some  persons  that  a  disease  of  this  character  and 


vAUlOtrS  OPERATIONS  AND  DISEASES.  247 

natur(3  is  propagated  by  contagion  or  infection.  How  far  it  ia 
engendered  in  these  ways  I  am  not  prepared  to  decide.  There 
must,  however,  have  been  a  time  when  the  disease  did  not  exist, 
but  must  have  arisen  from  a  concurrence  of  natural  causes ;  and 
if  these  were  adequate  to  its  production  at  an  anterior  period,  they 
must  be  so  at  the  present  time.  I  shall,  therefore,  abandon  all 
further  speculation  in  this  direction  as  unprofitable,  for  there  is 
evidently  no  direct  cause,  but  various  are  the  predisposing,  ex- 
citing, indirect,  and  morbid  causes.  The  only  way  that  I  know 
of  to  prevent  this  malady  is  to  keep  the  cattle  in  a  physiological 
condition,  by  paying  proper  attention  to  breeding,  feeding,  rear- 
ing, and  housing;  for  animals  in  a  perfectly  healthy  state  are 
certain  to  enjoy  immunity  from  this  and  other  diseases. 

I  have  noticed,  at  various  times,  articles  in  agricultural  papers 
en  the  prevention  of  black  leg,  which,  in  the  name  of  common 
kumanity  I  am  compelled  to  notice.  The  one  I  have  thought 
proper  to  select  reads  as  follows : 

"Preventive. — Take  spring  calves  in  the  month  of  October ;  cut 
a  small  incision  in  the  hollow  above  the  foot.  On  the  top  of  the 
flesh  a  small  blue  vein  appears;  take  a  crooked  instrument,  in  the 
rhape  of  an  awl,  and  put  the  point  under  the  vein,  raise  it  up  so 
that  it  can  be  cut,  and  take  about  an  eighth  of  an  inch  out  of  the 
vein.  Don't  sew  up  the  incision.  It  must  be  done  on  all  the 
four  feet.  I  have  cut  many  hundreds,  and  have  known  of  thou- 
sands being  cut,  and  never  knew  of  one  dying  with  the  above 
disease  after  being  cut." 

Now,  I  am  not  disposed  to  scold  or  find  fault,  nor  question  the 
intentions  of  men  who  recommend  or  practice  such  outrageous 
barbarities  under  the  guise  of  doctoring  sick  animals,  but  J  wish 
to  remind  the  intelligent  reader  that  cattle  have  nerves  to  feel, 
and  are  as  keenly  sensible  to  pain  as  we  are;  therefore  all  un- 
necessary operations,  even  should  they  have  received  the  seal  ;,f 
antiquity,  ought  to  be  avoided.  This  is  the  age  of  progression. 
The  lamp  of  veterinary  science  is  illuminating  the  mystified  halo 
which  has  hitherto  surrounded  our  barn-yard  practice ;  and  before 
the  'barbarities  of  bygone  days  are  practiced  on  our  domestic  ani- 
mals, let  us  be  satisfied  that  we  are  using  rational  means  for  the 
recovery  of  the  sick,  such  as  science  and  common  sense  confirms. 
Just  as  rational  would  it  be,  if  it  were  at  all  rational,  to  take  an 
infant  and  divide  one  of  the  posterior  veins  of  both  feet,  in  vie^v 


248  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

of  preventing  disease  common  to  adult  life,  which,  after  all,  might 
never  occur,  the  little  creature  not  being  predisposed  thereto. 

Let  any  one  just  study  the  anatomical  structure  of  the  foot  of 
an  ox,  and  he  will  learn  that  the  vein  which  we  are  recommended 
to  sever  and  amputate  from  is  called  the  coronary,  and  is  engage^^ 
in  returning  blood  from  the  vast  venous  plexuses  of  the  foot, 
which  requires  to  come  in  contact  with  the  lungs  for  purification 
and  oxygenation.  Any  impediments,  such  as  severing  a  vein, 
which  interrupts  the  free  circulation  or  return  of  blood  to  the 
heart  and  lungs,  can  not  be  beneficial,  but  otherwise.  It  wull  be 
seen  that  the  vein  is  nothing  more  than  an  elastic  hollow  tube,  a 
mere  vehicle,  through  which  the  blood  courses;  therefore  it  can 
not  be  supposed  to  have  any  specific  power  over  other  parts  of  the 
organization  in  warding  off  disease. 

I  shall  not  trouble  the  reader  with  any  further  remarks  on  the 
subject  of  irrational  and  barbarous  prevention;  for  I  presume 
that  the  introduction  of  the  foregoing  paragraph  will  answer  all  the 
purposes  intended.  Among  physicians  the  disease  is  known  as 
hcematosepsis ;  and  our  experience  is  that  it  usually  occurs  among 
young  stock,  and  generally  in  well-ljred  animals  in  high  con- 
dition, or  in  native  stock  in  low  condition ;  yet  it  may  occur  in 
the  system  of  any  bovine,  as  the  result  of  sudden  change  in  the 
quality  of  the  food. 

Treatment. — It  is  an  unfortunate  occurrence  that  this  disease 
should  ever  have  been  classed  as  an  inflammatory  affection,  for 
the  error  has  led  to  a  system  of  practice  disastrous  as  the  cattle 
plague.  The  following  paragraph  from  Youatt  will  serve  to 
show  the  orthodox  method  of  treating  inflammatory  fever,  and 
will  also  explain  the  reason  why  a  great  proportion  of  the  ani- 
mals treated  die : 

"The  very  name  of  the  disease  (inflammatory  fever)  indicates 
the  mode  of  treatment.  In  a  case  of  excessive  vascular  action, 
the  first  and  most  important  step  is  copious  depletion.  As  much 
blo^d  must  be  taken  as  the  animal  will  bear  to  lose;  and  the 
stream  must  flow  on  until  the  animal  staggers  or  threatens  to  fall. 
Here,  more  than  in  any  other  disease,  there  must  be  no  foolish 
directions  about  quantities.  As  much  blood  must  be  taken  away 
as  can  be  got;  for  it  is  only  by  the  l^old  and  persevering  use  of 
depletory  measures  that  a  malady  can  be  subdued  tha+:  runs  itw 
course  s<^  rapidly.     Purging  must  immediately  follow,     '^he  En- 


VARIOUS  OPERATIONS  AND  DISEASES.  24y 

aom  salts  are  here,  as  in  most  inflammatory  diseases,  the  best 
purgative.  A  pound  and  a  half,  dissolved  in  water  or  gruel,  and 
poured  down  the  throat  as  gently  as  possible,  should  be  our  first 
dose;  and  no  aromatic  should  accompany  it.  If  this  does  not 
operate  in  the  course  of  six  hours,  another  pound  should  be 
given,  and  after  that,  half-pound  doses,  every  six  hours,  until 
the  effect  is  produced." 

It  is  a  wonder  to  me  how  any  creature  can  survive  such  bar- 
barous treatment  as  this;  yet,  even  at  the  present  day,  just  such 
doctrines  are  taught  in  the  schools  and  practiced  on  cattle,  to  the 
disgrace  of  science  and  shame  on  those  men  who  perpetrate  the 
wickedness.  Blood-letting  and  purging  can  have  no  good  effect 
on  a  disease  like  this,  so  prostrating,  and  which  runs  its  course  to 
mortification  so  rapidly.  Such  a  wretched  system  of  practice  has 
always  failed,  and  ever  will  fail. 

That  form  of  treatment  which  reason  and  experience  suggests 
is  the  best.  For  example,  it  would  naturally  occur,  to  the  mind 
free  from  the  prejudice  of  veterinary  orthodoxy,  that  a  disease 
which  runs  into  sloughing  and  mortification  in  a  few  short  hours 
must  require  life-sustaining  agents;  hence  I  recommend  a  very 
different  mode  of  treatment  from  that  heretofore  practiced.  I 
commence  the  treatment  thus : 

Spirits  of  hartshorn 4  dr. 

Tar-water 1  q.t. 

Tincture  of  bloodroot 1  oz. 

Mix  the  hartshorn  and  tar- water  first ;  then  add  the  bloodroot. 
Drench  (dose  No.  1).  The  object  in  giving  the  hartshorn  is  to 
decarbonize  the  blood,  and  impart  healthy  stimulus  to  the  nutri- 
ent system  of  blood-vessels  and  nerves ;  and  this  agent  will  do  it. 

Should  the  animal  show  any  lameness  in  the  back  or  hind  quar- 
ters, apply  the  following : 

Oil  of  cedar 2  oz. 

Sulphuric  ether 2  oz. 

Tincture  of  capsicum 1  oz. 

Cod-liver  oil 6  oz. 

First,  mix  the  two  oils ;  then  add  the  ether,  and  shake  then 
thoroughly ;  lastly,  add  the  tincture.  The  object  in  applying  this 
preparation  is  to  arouse  capillary  action,  and  thus  prevent  the  en- 
gorgements, which,  according  to  the  best  authorities,  are  evry- 
where  found. 


250  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

Four  hours  after  administering  "dose  No.  ],"  drench  the  pa« 
tient  witli  the  following : 

Liquid  tar 1  oz. 

Glycerine 4  oz. 

Thin  gruel I   qt. 

Tf  the  urgency  of  the  case  demands  it,  this  dose  may  be  re- 
peated, at  intervals  of  four  hours,  until  symptoms  of  improve- 
ment are  observed.  The  tar  is  a  powerful  antiseptic,  and  preventfl 
decomposition,  emphysema,  and  mortification. 

All  sores  and  ulcers  must  be  dressed  with  pyro.'-gieous  acid^ 
and  kept  constantly  sprinkled  with  powdered  bloodroot.  All 
abscesses  must  be  punctured  with  a  thumb-lancet,  their  contents 
evacuated  by  pressure,  and  syringing  them  with  soap-suds;  and 
their  cavities  must  be  crammed  with  fine  flour.  Should  any  sores 
or  ulcers  be  observed  about  the  muzzle,  mouth,  or  throat,  tinctuie 
of  matico  is  the  remedy,  or  liquid  tar.  One  ounce  of  the  same 
may  be  introduced  into  the  mouth  of  the  patient ;  it  will  surely 
do  good.  If  the  patient  be  weak  and  debilitated,  tonics  are  indi- 
cated ;  golden-seal,  in  tv/o-drachm  doses,  may  be  incn»  norated  in 
the  food,  in  direct  ratio  to  the  urgency  of  tbv  -^ase. 


Black  Tongue. 

This  epizootic  has  raged  very  extensively,  a'  different  times,  in 
North  and  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  and  Florida.  Several  pet- 
sons  have  died  from  drinking  milk  from  cows  tht\s  diseased,  ^(t 
appears  that  domestic  cattle  are  not  alone  the  suffi-ers,  but  that 
in  Florida,  particularly,  the  deer  perish  from  the  same  disease  iin 
large  numbers;  and,  according  to  a  letter  in  the  Savannah  "Ee- 
publican,"  dogs,  and  the  buzzards  in  Burke  County,  Georgia,  that 
have  eaten  the  flesh  of  cattle  that  have  died  of  the  black  tongue, 
have  perished  from  the  effects  of  such  poisonous  diet.  Ilie  cause 
of  this  malignant  disease  does  not  seem  to  have  been  yvt  ascer- 
tained, though  by  many  it  is  attributed  to  the  rust,  which,  in  vari- 
rious  parts  of  the  Southern  States,  as  elsewhere,  has  affected  the 
grain  crops,  and,  it  is  said,  in  some  places,  the  grass  also.  The 
cattle  are  attacked  by  stiffness,  and  walk  as  though  foundered, 
while  froth  is  discharged  in  large  quantities  from  the  nouth; 
thev  can  eat  nothing,  fall  away  rapidly,  and  the  tongue  and  ;ic>  vas 


VAKIOUS  OPERATIONS  AND  DISEASES.  251 

become  dreadfully  swollen,  and  turn  black,  and  death  speedily 
releases  them  from  their  agony. 

Treatment. — The  rapid  progress  which  usually  attends  this 
dreadful  epizootic  calls  for  prompt  and  energetic  treatment.  It 
is  evidently  a  congestive  disease,  and  very  apt  to  run  into  the 
typhoid  stage  and  end  in  sudden  death.  The  moment  an  ani- 
mal is  suspected  to  be  the  subject  of  this  malady,  he  should  be 
drenched  with 

Table  salt 12  oz. 

Warm  water 1   qt. 

Tincture  of  capsicum 2  oz. 

This  medicine  will  act  as  a  powerful  antiseptic  and  stimu- 
lating tonic,  thus  preserving  the  animal  tissues  against  putres- 
cence; and  at  the  same  time  it  relieves  the  venous  congestion. 
If,  on  applying  the  hand  to  any  part  of  the  body,  a  crackling 
sound  is  elicited,  the  animal  is  then  said  to  be  emphysematous, 
which  signifies  an  accumulation  of  gas  beneath  the  skin.  TV^e 
patient  should  then  be  immediately  drenched  with 

Pyroligneous  acid 2  oz. 

Pure  oil  of  sassafras 28  drops. 

Linseed  tea 1  qt. 

Mix  the  oil  with  the  latter,  then  add  the  acid.  After  having 
Irenched  the  animal,  apply  a  portion  of  the  following  to  the  tume- 
factions, or  emphysematous  region : 

Soft  soap 4  oz. 

Oil  of  sassafras \  oz. 

Dissolve  the  sassafras  iu  two  ounces  of  alcohol. 

Tincture  of  capsicum 2  oz. 

Tincture  of  Peruvian  bark 1  pt. 

Mix,  and  rub  the  external  surface  with  a  portion  of  the  same. 
The  swollen  tongue  should  be  frequently  covered  with  fine  salt ; 
md  the  moment  there  appears  any  improvement,  tonic  medicines 
should  be  given.  One  ounce  of  the  fiuid  extract  of  camomile 
flowers  may  be  given,  twice  daily.  This  remedy  will  give  tone 
to  the  system  and  restore  the  appetite. 

Fractured  Bones. 

Fracture  of  bones,  occurring  among  neat  stock,  is  generally 
considered  as  a  justifiable  cause  for  their  destruction ;  but  I  object 


252  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

to  this  summary  mode  of  disposing  of  unfortunate  yet  valuablt 
animals;  for  the  truth  is  many  are  killed  that  might  be  saved. 
The  trouble  of  managing,  and  the  expense  of  treating  cases  of 
fracture,  often  deter  husbandmen  from  performing  a  duty  incum- 
bent on  them  in  view  of  protecting  their  property ;  but  the  trouble 
and  expense  are  mere  trifles  when  the  usefulness  of  a  valuable  ani- 
mal is  involved. 

The  remedy  in  case  of  a  simple  fracture  of  bones,  under  the  im- 
proved system  of  practice,  is  neither  tedious  nor  expensive.  The 
bones  unite  very  readily,  if  kept  in  contact,  and  the  unity  is 
secured  by  means  of  starched  bandages.  AYhere  there  is  any 
laceration  of  the  soft  parts,  and  the  bone  is  broken  into  several 
pieces,  the  better  way  is  to  put  an  end  to  the  sufferings  of  the 
creature,  for  recovery  is  impossible.  The  following  case  will  give 
some  idea  of  the  method  of  treating  simple  fractures.  An  animal 
under  treatment  for  fracture,  may  be  placed  in  the  trevis,  if  neces- 
sary ;  but  I  prefer  to  let  the  patient  have  its  liberty  in  a  box  stall. 
The  limb  opposite  to  the  fractured  one  will  have  to  sustain  more 
weight  than  usual ;  therefore  I  try  to  prevent  swelling  and  stiff- 
ness by  occasional  hand-rubbing,  or  by  bathing  it  once  or  twice 
daily,  with  a  portion  of  the  following : 

Oil  of  wormwood 1  oz. 

Alcohol 2  oz. 

New  rum 2  qt. 

Mix. 

The  following  case  of  fracture  of  the  radius  I  extract  from  my 
note-book : 

This  was  a  case  of  simple  fracture  of  the  radius  (bone  above 
the  knee)  of  a  calf  about  six  months  old,  the  property  of  a  gentle- 
man residing  in  Brookline.  The  accident  was  occasioned  in  con- 
sequence of  the  animal  getting  his  leg  entangled  in  a  fold  of  chain, 
the  latter  being  used  for  the  purpose  of  confining  him,  in  the  day 
time,  to  a  grazing  spot.  The  fracture  was  crosswise  of  the  long 
diameter  of  the  bone  in  the  central  region;  namely,  midway  be- 
tween its  superior  and  inferior  extremities.  No  laceration  of  the 
soft  tissues,  nor  comminution  of  bone.  The  diagnostic  symptom 
was  crepitis  (crackling  noise). 

Ti^eatment. — The  bones  were  brought  in  apposition,  and  secured 
by  means  of  slips  of  pasteboard  and  starched  bandages;  and,  in 
order  to  keep  them  f'-om  slipping  downward,  they  were  sewed  fc 


VARIOUS  OPERATIONS  AND  DISEASES.  253 

a  broad  i^elt,  which  passed  over  the  inferior  cerviul  region,  in  the 
form  of  a  figure  8.  The  animal  did  not  appear  to  like  this  cou- 
trivance,  or  else  he  liked  to  lick  the  starch,  for  he  soon  commenced 
to  nibble  the  wick-yarn  with  which  it  was  marled  on,  and  so 
loosened  the  bandage  that,  in  the  course  of  a  few  hours,  it  slipped 
below  the  carpus.  So  soon  as  this  occurred  I  was  again  sum- 
moned to  visit  the  patient.  I  now  procured  some  thick  tar,  and 
with  it  smeared  the  limb  to  the  extent  which  was  to  be  covered 
by  bandage.  The  bandage  was  composed  of  common  sheeting, 
three  inches  wide,  three  yards  long,  and  this  was  also  well  tarred, 
and,  after  being  neatly  applied,  was  secured  by  means  of  the  many- 
tailed,  tarred  bandage.  This  had  the  desired  effect ;  for,  however 
well  the  animal  might  have  liked  the  taste  of  starch,  he  apparently 
had  no  relish  for  tar.     The  bandage  remained  undisturbed. 

The  accident  happened  on  the  18th  day  of  August,  1857;  on 
the  4th  day  of  October  the  osseous  union  was  complete.  The 
bandage  had  been  removed  some  time  prior  to  the  latter  date,  yet 
the  condensed  tar  was  allowed  to  remain  on  the  skin  for  some  time. 
In  a  few  months  his  limb  was  just  as  symmetrical  as  the  other, 
and  no  one  but  a  skillful  surgeon  would  ever  discover  that  the 
hone  had  been  fractured. 


Light  in  Barns. 

Barns  should  be  so  constructed,  by  the  insertion  of  windows  in 
various  parts  of  the  building,  that  they  shall  be  as  "  light  as  day." 
A  "  dark  "  barn  is  only  a  suitable  black-hole  for  some  vicious  an- 
imal ;  it  is  the  very  worst  location  for  any  thing  that  breathes. 
Sir  A.  Xylie  (who  was  long  at  the  head  of  the  medical  staff  in 
the  Russian  army)  states  that  the  cases  of  disease  on  the  dark  sid« 
of  an  extensive  barrack,  at  St.  Petersburg,  have  been  uniformly, 
for  many  years,  in  the  proportion  of  three  to  one  to  those  on  the 
side  exposed  to  a  strong  and  uniform  light.  Humboldt  has  also 
remarked  that  among  bipeds  the  residents  of  South  America,  who 
wear  very  little  clothing,  thus  allowing  the  cutaneous,  as  well  as 
the  orbital  surfaces  to  receive  a  free  ray  of  light,  enjoyed  immunity 
from  various  diseases  which  prevailed  extensively  among  the  in- 
habitants of  dark  rooms  and  underground  locations;  and  so  ex- 
cellent an  authority  as  Linn^us  contends  that  the  constant  ex- 
posure to  solar  light  is  one  of  the  causes  which  render  a  summer 


254  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

journey  through  high  northern  latitudes  so  peculiarly  healthftxJ 
and  invigorating.  Dr.  Edwards  has  also  remarked  that  persona 
who  live  in  caves  or  cellars^  or  in  very  dark  or  narrow  streets,  are 
apt  to  produce  deformed  children ;  and  that  men  who  work  in 
mines  are  liable  to  disease  and  deformity.  Light,  therefore,  is  a 
condition  of  vital  activity ;  and,  in  view  only  of  preserving  the 
sight  of  animals,  it  is  absolutely  necessary  that,  while  they  are  in 
the  barn,  their  optics  shall  have  free  access  to  the  sun's  rays. 

If  a  cow  were  in  the  same  condition  as  a  polype,  with  no  organs 
of  vision,  who  shuns  light,  a  dark  barn  might  prove  to  be  its  earthly 
paradise;  but  as  the  cow  has  special  organs  of  vision,  evidently 
susceptible  to  the  influence  of  light,  and  the  integrity  of  its  organ- 
ism, or  a  part  of  the  same,  depending  entirely  on  the  admission 
of  light,  it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  barns  should  be  constructed 
accordingly. 

Diarrhea  in  Calves. 

Diairhea  is  a  very  prevalent  disease  among  calves.  The  suek- 
in;^  calf  is  liable  to  be  the  subject  of  this  affection  whenever  the 
general  health  of  the  parent  is  impaired.  In  such  cases  the  mother 
is  to  be  treated  instead  of  the  calf.  She,  probably,  is  the  subject 
of  a  deranged  condition  of  the  digestive  organs,  which  can  easily 
be  n  medied  by  the  administration  of  a  few  doses  of  the  following  ; 


Pulverized  charcoal 

Carbonate  of  soda [  equal  parts. 

Pulverized  ginger 


} 


Dt.fe,  two  ounces  daily,  to  be  incorporated  with  the  food;  cr  it 
can  be  3;iven  as  a  drench,  by  adding  a  pint  of  scalded  milk. 

The  disease  occasionally  occurs  in  consequence  of  weaning  the 
calf  (in  view  of  husbanding  the  cow's  milk),  and  feeding  the  Juve- 
nile on  improper  food.  This  kind  of  diarrhea  must  be  treated  as 
follows 

Phosphate  of  lime ^ . . .   1  oz. 

Carbonate  of  soda 2  dr. 

Scalded  milk 1  pt. 

Mix  bz''  same,  and  administer  by  means  of  a  drenching-horn 
or  bottle.  It  may  be  divided  into  "  broken  "  doses,  or  may  be 
given  at  once,  a-"  a  single  dose. 

If  the  above  remedies  fail  in  arrest^'ng  the  diarrhea.  1  shoulJ 


VARIOUS  OPERATIONS  AND  DISEASES.  25a 

give  three  drachms  of  tincture  of  matico,  every  four  hours,  until 
the  patient  showed  some  signs  of  improvement. 


Sprains  or  Strains. 

Sprains  or  strains  are  generally  occasioned  by  unnatural  dis- 
tension of  parts,  or  rupture  of  cellular  structure,  which  connects 
muscles  or  tendons.  They  are  generally  accompanied  by  heat, 
1f.nderness,  and  lameness.  Working  oxen  are  more  liable  to 
sprain  than  cows,  because,  when  used  in  the  yoke  for  draught, 
they  are  as  liable  to  strain  or  rupture  parts  as  horses,  by  sudden 
exertions,  or  violent  efforts  of  the  muscles  to  guard  against  a  sud- 
den slip  and  fall.  The  slightest  strain  will  sometimes  occasion 
lameness,  because  the  parts  concerned  are  composed  of  minute 
fibers  and  cells,  delicately  organized ;  and  a  portion  or  the  whole 
of  such  minute  tissues  are  easily  injured.  In  bad  cases  of  strain, 
considerable  tumefaction  or  swelling  is  observed.  This  is  occa- 
sioned by  the  presence  of  serum,  or  water,  in  the  cellular  tissues 
beneath  the  skin.  If  proper  means  are  adopted,  this  fluid  can  be 
taken  up  by  the  absorbent  vessels,  so  as  to  leave  no  enlargement ; 
but  if  the  case  be  badly  treated,  the  enlargement  becomes  organ- 
ized into  a  permanent,  hard  mass,  which  is  known  to  medical  men 
as  induration. 

Treatment. — The  very  best  and  cheapest  remedies  in  the  early 
stages  of  strain  are  rest  and  cold  water.  This  very  soon  lessens 
the  vascular  excitement;  and,  if  there  is  no  laceration,  the  animal 
will  soon  get  well.  It  will  be  necessary  to  shower  the  sprained 
spot  two  or  three  times  per  day,  until  the  acute  symptoms  have 
subsided.  Then  a  common  bandage  may  be  applied.  This  should 
be  wet  with  vinegar  occasionally.  Should  the  strained  part  be  very 
painful,  I  would  foment  with  infusion  of  hops — a  handful  of  hops 
tc  a  quart  of  boiling  water,  to  be  applied  when  cool.  If  this  does 
not  relieve  the  pain,  let  the  part  be  occasionally  sponged  with  a 
^mall  quantity  of  sulphuric  ether  or  clloroform. 

Bronchocele. 

Bronchocele  is  a  disease  known  in  common  parlance  as  swelling 
in  the  throats  of  cattle.  When  it  occurs  among  members  of  the 
human  family  it  is  denominated  goitre;  yet  it  is  my  opi'^ion  that 


256  UADDS  VETERINARY   MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

brouchocele  occurring  among  cattle,  and  goitre  in  man,  are  very 
different  affections.  For  example :  Broncliocele  occurring  in  cattle 
is  curable,  and,  so  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  ascertain,  is  confined 
to  the  thyroid  glands,  although  in  a  protracted  state  of  the  mal- 
ady, the  surrounding  tissues  may  become  so  involved  as  to  render 
the  case  incurable.  Goitre,  as  I  understand  it,  is  a  diffuse  tumor 
occupying  the  anterior  part  of  the  neck,  occurring  principally 
among  the  inhabitants  of  the  Alps,  and  is  considered  incurable. 
Medicine  and  external  applications  seem  to  have  little  if  any  effect 
on  it,  and  its  removal  by  operation  is  generally  fatal.  The  follow- 
ing cases  are  offered  in  support  of  my  argument  as  to  curability  ^ 

A  couple  of  cows,  the  property  of  Mr.  Humphrey,  of  Brook- 
iine.  Mass.,  were  observed  to  be  the  subjects  of  an  enlargement  in 
the  thyroid  region,  which  gradually  increased  up  to  the  size  of  » 
man's  fist.  At  this  period  I  was  requested  to  see  them.  The  an 
imals  were  natives  ;  their  ages,  seven  and  eight ;  in  fair  conditioi'., 
and  yielding  the  usual  quantity  of  milk.  The  only  fault  the  owner 
had  to  complain  of  was  that  their  appetites  were  not  so  good  as 
usual,  and  he  merely  consulted  me  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining 
what  could  be  done  for  the  thyroid  tumors.  On  making  carefui 
examination  of  both  animals,  there  was  very  little  of  abnormai 
action  to  be  perceived,  either  internally  or  externally.  The  puls€ 
was  regular;  respirations,  normal;  the  surface  of  the  body,  com- 
fortably warm ;  coat,  glossy ;  nothing  unusual  about  the  feces  nor 
urine ;  and  all  I  could  say  about  the  cases  was,  that  they-.werf^ 
mild  forms  of  hypertrophy  of  the  thyroid  glands  (enlargement 
without  change  of  structure).  The  tumor  in  one  animal  occupiec^ 
the  right  side  of  the  thyroid  region ;  in  the  other  it  was  found  in 
the  left;  both  immovable,  yet  having  no  morbid  adhesions  to 
skin  nor  subtissue. 

Treatment. — The  owner  being  unwilling  to  incur  the  expense  ot 
professional  attention,  and  desiring  to  treat  them  himself,  under 
advice,  I  accordingly  prescribed  as  follows  :  Each  animal  to  have 
daily  ten  grains  of  iodide  of  potassium  in  half  a  gill  of  water. 
The  tumor  to  be  anointed  daily  with  a  portion  of  the  following : 

Simple  ointment. . ' 2  oz. 

Iodide  of  potassium 2  dr. 

Mix. 

During  a  period  of  seven  days  each  animal  got  seventy  grains 
of  iodide  of  potassi  jm,  and  by  inunction  received  one  drachm  each. 


VARIOUS  OrERATIONS  AND  mSEASES.  267 

According  to  the  testimony  of  Mr.  Humphrey,  the  remtdy  was 
effective;  for  at  the  end  of  two  weeks  the  tumors  had  disappeared, 
and  the  aniiiaals  were  on  the  high  road  to  health. 


Spaying  Cows 

Before  I  commence  to  point  out  the  method  of  spaying,  it  mji  r 
be  proper  to  allude  briefly  to  the  female  organs  of  generation. 

Uterus,  or  Womb. — This  is  a  hollow,  musculo-membranous  or- 
gan, united  to  the  front  part  of  the  vagina,  and  terminating  beneath 
the  anus,  in  what  is  known  as  the  lips  of  the  pudendum.  The 
womb  is  destined  for  the  reception  of  the  foetus.  It  is  situated 
within  the  cavity  of  the  pelvis,  between  the  region  of  the  bladder 
and  that  of  the  rectum,  and  is  an  organ  capable  of  extraordinary 
distension. 

The  womb  is  divided  into  body,  horns,  neck,  and  mouth.  The 
body  is  the  oblong,  cylindrical  part,  growing  out  of  the  front  part 
of  the  vagina,  in  the  center  of  which  it  terminates,  internally,  by 
the  mouth  of  the  womb,  termed  by  physicians  the  os  uteri.  The 
front  part  of  the  body  of  the  womb,  by  branching  into  two  divis- 
ions, forms  the  horns.  They  diverge  laterally  (sideways)  toward 
the  front  part  of  the  pelvis,  and,  finally,  terminate  in  oval  extrem- 
ities, (fallopian  tubes,)  and,  lastly,  ♦.he  testes,  or  ovaries.  The  part 
termed  the  neck  protrudes  backward  into  the  vagina,  and  is  only 
perceptible  when  the  parts  are  unimpregnated. 

The  uterus  and  ovaries  are  partly  covered,  and  confined  to  the 
sides  of  the  pelvis  by  a  portion  of  the  peritoneum,  called  broad  or 
lateral  ligiments,  which  also  iuclosc  within  its  folds  the  fallopian 
tubes. 

The  ovaries  are  two  soft  bodies,  about  the  size  of  a  walnut,  and 
resembling  somewhat  in  form  the  testicles  of  the  male.  They  are 
filled  with  little  vesicles,  or  bladders,  which  can  be  seen  through 
the  surface  texture,  containing  a  small  quantity  of  a  whitish  yel- 
low fluid.  These  yellow  bodies,  or  spots,  termed  corpora  lutea, 
are  supposed  to  contain  the  ova.  The  cicatrices,  or  marks  left  in 
the  region  where  the  vesicles  have  burst,  denote  the  number  of 
times  the  animal  has  been  impregnated.  The  contents  of  the 
ovarian  vesicles,  from  one  or  both  testicles,  are  discharged  in+x)  the 
uterus  through  the  fallopian  tubes,  and  the  same  is  vitalized  by 
the  male  semen  in  the  act  of  copulation;  so  it  will  be  percei^'cd 
17 


25^  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERT. 

that  the  uterus  has  two  inlets,  coming  from  the  ovaries,  and  on« 
outlet,  which  is  the  lips  of  the  vagina. 

The  arteries  which  supply  the  uterine  organs  with  blood  are 
named  vaginal,  uterine,  and  spermatic.  The  vaginal  is  derived 
from  the  internal  iliac;  the  uterine,  from  the  external  iliac;  and 
the  spermatic  comes  directly  from  the  great  aorta. 

This  brief  description  of  the  form,  function,  and  location  of  the 
uterine  organs  may  possibly  prove  of  some  value  to  the  husband* 
men  of  this  country,  who  are  not  expected  to  be  posted  on  the 
subject,  and  can  not  spare  the  time  to  familiarize  themselves  witl» 
the  technicalities  of  the  schools,  yet  have  intelligence  enough  to 
comprehend  plain  matters  of  fact. 

On  the  Selection  of  Animals  for  Spaying. — If  the  animal  be  in- 
tended for  milking  purposes,  a  good  milker  must  be  selected,  for 
the  operation  will  not  transform  a  poor  milker  into  a  good  one. 
She  must  necessarily  be  in  possession  of  those  constitutional  pecu- 
liarities which  have  been  observed  to  prevail  in  animals  renowned 
as  first-class  milkers.  The  operation  will,  without  doubt,  improve 
the  quality  of  the  milk,  yet  may  not,  under  all  circumstances,  in- 
crease the  quantity,  although  the  French  dairymen  contend  that 
"  the  cow  will  be  found  to  give  as  much  milk  after  eighteen  months 
as  immediately  after  the  operation  ;  and  there  was  found,  in  quan- 
tity, in  favor  of  the  spayed  cows,  a  great  difference."  About  three 
years  ago  I  spayed  a  cow,  the  property  of  a  gentleman  residing  in 
Southboro'.  She  continued  during  this  period  to  yield  her  usual 
quantity  of  milk,  yet  gradually  accumulated  fat,  so  that  she  was 
known  in  the  neighborhood  as  the  "  fat  cow."  When  in  this  con- 
dition, the  daily  yield  of  milk  gradually  decreased,  and  the  owner 
at  last  sold  her  to  the  butcher.  I  learned  from  parties  who  bought 
the  meat  that  it  was  of  superior  quality  even  to  that  of  an  ox  or 
Hteer,  and  commanded  a  higher  price.  Among  other  animals  that 
I  have  spayed  several  have  run  to  fat,  as  the  saying  is,  and  at  the 
end  of  from  eighteen  months  to  three  years,  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  butrher  as  first-rate  beef.  I  am,  therefore,  inclined  to  think 
that  if  animals  are  predisposed  to  fatten  easily,  they  will  not  remain 
uniform  milkers  beyond  the  above  period  ;  yet,  from  a  report  madi, 
by  the  Rheims  Academy,  I  learn  that  this  liability  to  fatten  was 
not  observed  in  the  environs  of  Paris,  where,  in  some  milking 
establishments,  one  hundred  and  fifty  cows  are  kept,  all  spayed 
excqrt  fiftr^^n  or  twenfv.     It  may  happen,  however,  that  in  cons©- 


VARIOUS  OPERATIONS  AND  DISEASES.  259 

quence  of  their  not  being  permitted  to  go  to  pasture,  and  their 
artificial  food  not  of  the  best  quality,  and  perhaps  scanty,  they  do 
not  have  enough  adipose  matter  to  spare  and  store  away  in  the 
fat-cells,  as  is  the  ease  with  stall-fed  animals  in  private  establish- 
ments, where  only  one  or  two  are  kept. 

In  view,  therefore,  of  securing  a  permanent  milker,  I  should 
select  a  cow  of  compact  muscular  organization  (native  breed),  hav- 
ing little,  if  any,  predisposition  to  accumulate  fat.  She  must  be  a 
good  milker,  and  the  mother  of  at  least  three  calves.  The  best 
period  for  spaying  is  in  the  spring,  when  the  unimpregnated  ani- 
mal is  in  her  full  flow  of  milk.  If  the  object  of  spaying  be  to 
furnish  the  market  with  fat,  tender,  juicy  meat,  then  I  should  se- 
lect animals,  barren  or  otherwise,  that  keep  in  good  condition  on 
a  small  quantity  of  food.  The  operation  may  be  performed  at  any 
period,  from  the  age  of  three  months  to  nine  or  more  years. 

Mode  of  Operation. — The  principal  authority  on  the  inodus 
operandi  of  spaying  is  M.  Morin,  a  celebrated  French  veterinary 
surgeon.  I  am  not  in  the  habit  of  performing  the  operation  ac- 
cording to  his  directions,  yet  the  reader  may  desire  to  know  how 
it  l»s  been  performed  in  a  country  where  the  results  have  been  so 
remarkably  successful ;  therefore  I  introduce  the  following  quot?- 
tions : 

"  Having  covered  the  head  of  the  cow  to  be  operated  on,  we 
place  her  against  a  wall  provided  with  five  ringf.,  firmly  fastened 
and  placed  as  follows:  The  first  correspond?  to  the  top  of  the 
"^i^ithers ;  the  second  to  the  lower  anterior  part  of  the  breast ;  the 
third  is  placed  a  little  distance  from  the  angh  i/f  the  shoulder;  the 
I'ourth  is  opposite  to  the  anterior  and  superi<)r  part  of  the  lower 
region,  and  the  fifth,  which  is  behind,  ansv  ers  to  the  under  part 
of  the  buttocks.  We  place  a  strong  assistani  between  the  Avail  and 
the  head  of  the  animal,  who  firmly  holds  the  horn  in  the  left  hand, 
and  with  his  right  the  muzzle,  which  he  elevates  a  little.  This 
done,  we  pass  through  and  fasten  the  end  of  a  long,  strong,  platted 
cord  in  the  ring  to  the  lower  part  of  the  breast;  we  bring  the  free 
end  of  the  cord  along  the  left  flank,  and  pass  it  through  the  ring 
which  is  below  and  in  front  of  the  withers;  we  bring  it  down 
along  the  breast,  behind  the  shoulders  and  the  angle  of  the  fore- 
leg, to  pass  it  through  the  third  ring;  from  there  we  pass  it 
throug}-  the  ring  which  is  at  the  top  of  the  back ;  then  it  must  be 
passed  around  against  the  outer  angle  of  the  left  hip,  and  we  ^asten 


2t)0  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  feURCti!RI. 

it,  after  liaving  drawn  it  tightly  to  the  posterior  ring,  by  a  simple 
bow-knot.  The  cow  being  firmly  fixed  to  the  wall,  we  place  a 
cord,  fastened  by  a  slip-noose,  around  the  hocks,  to  keep  them  to- 
gether in  such  a  manner  that  the  animal  can  not  kick  the  operator. 
The  free  end  of  the  cord  and  the  tail  are  held  by  an  assiskmt 
The  cow,  thus  secured,  can  not,  during  the  operation,  move  for 
ward  nor  lie  down  ;  and  the  veterinary  surgeon  has  all  the  eas^ 
desirable,  and  is  protected  from  accident. 

M.  Leorant  advises  that  an  assistant  should  hold  a  plank  or  bar 
of  wood  obliquely  under  the  teats  and  before  its  limbs,  to  ward 
ofi'  the  kicks ;  but  this  method  is  not  always  without  danger,  both 
to  the  operator  and  the  animal,  because,  at  the  commencement — 
that  is,  when  the  surgeon  makes  the  incision  through  the  hide  and 
the  muscles — the  cow  makes  such  sudden  movements,  and  tri(« 
so  frequently  to  strike  with  its  left  hind  foot,  that  it  may  happen 
that,  upon  every  movement,  the  plank  or  the  bar  may  be  struck 
against  the  operator's  legs.  On  the  other  hand,  although  the  d(- 
fense  may  be  firmly  held  by  the  assistant,  yet  it  may  happen  that, 
in  spite  of  his  exertions,  he  sometimes  may  be  thrown  against  tlie 
operator,  by  the  movements  she  may  attempt,  and  there  may  be 
an  uncontrollable  displacement  of  the  plank  or  bar;  and  then  it 
may  happen  that  she  becomes  wounded,  and,  at  the  same  tinm, 
prevents  the  operation ;  while,  by  the  mode  we  point  out,  there  is 
no  fear  of  accident,  either  to  the  operator  or  the  beast.  In  case 
of  the  want  of  well-provided  rings,  we  may  use  a  strong  palisado, 
a  solid  fence,  or  two  trees,  at  suitable  distances  apart.  Across  we 
fix  two  strong  boards  of  wood,  separated  from  each  othor,  accord- 
ing to  the  size  of  the  cow. 

There  is  another  means  of  confining  them  that  we  have  em- 
ployed for  some  time  past,  where  the  cows  were  very  strong  and 
irritable,  more  simple  than  the  preceding,  less  fatiguing  to  the 
animal,  less  troublesome  to  the  operator,  and  which  answers  per- 
fectly. It  consists  in  leaving  the  cow  almost  free,  covering  her 
eyes,  holding  her  head  by  two  strong  assistants,  one  of  whom 
seizes  the  nose  with  his  hand,  and  strongly  pinches  the  nostrils 
whenever  the  animal  makes  any  strong  movement  during  the 
operation ;  in  causing  another  assistant  to  hold  the  two  hind  legs, 
kept  together  by  means  of  a  cord  passed  above  and  beneath  the 
hocks.  This  assistant  also  holds  the  tail,  and  pulls  it  whenevef 
he  animal  seeks  to  change  its  place.  ' 


t'Al'JOUS  OPERATIONS  AND  DISEASES.  261  « 

The  co\v  being  conveniently  disposed  of,  and  the  instruments 
and  appliances,  (such  as  curved  scissors,  upon  a  table,  a  convex- 
edged  bistoury,  a  straight  one,  and  one  buttoned  at  the  point, 
suture-needle  filled  with  double  -thread  of  desired  length,  pledgets 
of  lint  of  appropriate  size  and  length,  a  mass  of  tow  in  pledgets, 
being  collected  in  a  shallow  basket  held  by  an  assistant,)  we  place 
ourselves  opposite  to  the  left  flank,  our  back  turned  a  little  toward 
the  head  of  the  animal;  we  cut  oif  the  hair  which  covers  the  hide 
ia  the  middle  of  the  flanks,  at  an  equal  distance  between  the  back 
and  hip,  for  the  space  of  thirteen  or  fourteen  centimeters  in  cir- 
cumference. This  done,  we  take  the  convex  bistoury,  and  place 
it  open  between  our  teeth,  the  edge  out,  the  point  to  the  left ;  then, 
with  both  hands,  we  seize  the  hide  in  the  middle  of  the  flank, 
and  form  of  it  a  wrinkle  of  the  requisite  elevation,  and  running 
lengthwise  of  the  body. 

AVe  then  direct  an  assistant  to  seize,  with  his  right  hand,  the 
right  side  of  this  wrinkle.  We  then  take  the  bistoury,  and  cut 
the  wrinkle  at  one  stroke  through  the  middle.  The  wrinkle  hav- 
ing been  suffered  to  go  down,  a  separation  of  the  hide  is  presented, 
of  sufficient  length  to  enable  us  to  introduce  the  hand.  Thereupon 
we  separate  the  edges  of  the  hide  with  the  thumb  and  fore-finger 
of  the  left  hand,  and,  in  like  manner,  we  cut  through  the  abdom- 
inal muscles,  the  iliac  (rather  obliquely)  and  the  lumbar  (cross), 
for  a  distance  of  a  centimeter  from  the  lower  extremity  of  the 
incision  made  in  the  hide.  This  done,  armed  with  the  straight 
bistoury,  we  make  a  puncture  of  the  peritoneum,  at  the  upper 
extremity  of  the  wound ;  we  then  introduce  the  buttoned  bistoury, 
and  move  it  obliquely  from  above  to  the  lower  part,  up  to  the 
termination  of  the  incision  made  in  the  abdominal  muscles.  The 
flank  being  opened,  we  introduce  the  right  hand  into  the  abdo- 
men, and  direct  it  along  the  right  side  of  the  cavity  of  the  pel  via, 
behind  the  paunch  and  underneath  the  rectum,  where  we  find  the 
horns  of  the  uterus.  After  we  have  ascertained  the  position  of 
these  viscera,  we  search  for  the  ovaries,  which  are  at  the  txti  em- 
it/ of  the  cornua,  or  horns  (fallopian  tubes) ;  and  when  we  havo 
found  them,  we  seize  them  between  the  thumb  and  fore-finger, 
detach  them  completely  from  tlie  ligaments  that  keep  them  in 
tbeir  place,  pull  lightly,  separating  the  cord  and  the  vessels  (ute- 
rine or  fallopian  tubes)  at  their  place  of  union  with  the  ovarium. 
by  means  if  the  nails  of  the  thumb  and  fore-finger,  which  p-  e- ents 


•262  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

itself  at  the  point  of  touch ;  in  fact,  we  break  the  cord,  and  bring 
itway  the  ovarium. 

We  then  introduce  the  hand  again  in  the  abdominal  cavity,  and 
proceed  in  the  same  manner  to  extract  the  ot'her  ovarium.  Thig 
operation  terminated,  by  the  assistance  of  a  needle  we  place  a  suture 
of  three  or  four  double  threads,  waxed,  at  an  equal  distance,  and  at 
two  centimeters  or  a  little  less  from  the  lips  of  the  wound.  Passing 
it  through  the  divided  tissues,  we  move  from  the  left  hand  with 
the  piece  of  thread ;  having  reached  that  point,  we  fasten  with  a 
double  knot.  We  place  the  seam  in  the  intervals  of  the  thread 
from  the  right,  and,  as  we  approach  the  lips  of  the  wound,  we 
fasten  by  a  simple  knot,  being  careful  not  to  close  too  tightly  the 
lower  part  of  the  seam,  so  that  the  suppuration,  which  may  be 
established  in  the  wound,  may  be  able  to  escape.  The  operatioji 
effected,  we  cover  up  the  wound  with  a  pledget  of  lint,  kept  in  its 
place  by  three  or  four  threads  passed  through  the  stitches,  and  all 
is  completed.  It  happens  sometimes  that,  in  cutting  the  muscles 
of  which  we  have  before  spoken,  we  cut  one  or  two  of  the  arte- 
ries, which  bleed  so  much  that  there  is  no  necessity  for  a  ligature 
before  opening  the  peritoneal  sac,  because  if  this  precaution  be 
omitted,  blood  will  escape  into  the  abdomen,  and  may  occasion 
the  most  serious  consequences." 

Improved  Method  of  Sjiaying. — I  cast  the  cow,  by  means  of  the 
hobbles  (see  cut  of  instruments),  on  her  right  side.  I  then  apply 
to  the  nostrils  a  sponge,  saturated  with  concentrated  sulphuric 
ether.  When  the  animal  is  completely  unconscious,  I  slacken  the 
casting-rope,  so  as  to  free  the  limbs  and  prevent  any  pressure  on  the 
walls  of  the  abdomen.  B  ^  so  doing,  I  secure  room  enough  to  intro- 
duce a  hand  and  arm,  for  the  purpose  of  searching  for  the  ovaries. 

The  first  stage  of  the  operation  consists  in  pinching  up  a  fold 
of  the  skin  on  the  left  side,  midway  between  the  prominent  bone 
of  the  haunch  or  pelvis,  and  the  last  or  posterior  rib,  about  four 
inches  below  the  transverse  processes  of  the  lumbar  (back)  ver- 
tebrae. Having  divided  the  integuments  to  the  extent  of  about 
five  or  six  inches,  I  make  a  similar  incision  through  the  abdom- 
inal muscles,  until  the  peritoneum  (lining  membrane  of  the  ab- 
dominal cavity)  is  exposed.  This  membrane  is  then  punctured 
by  means  of  a  beak-pointed  bistoury,  into  which  puncture  I  insin- 
uate a  knife  having  a  probe  point,  and  then  divide  the  peritoneuDh 
to  the  extent  of  the  external  incision. 


VARIOUS  OPERATIONS  AND  UISEASFS.  2Ub 

The  second  stage  of  the  operation  commences  with  trie  Intro- 
duction of  the  operator's  right  arm,  he  kneeling  down  in  clo8€ 
contact  with  the  cow's  back.  The  hand  is  then  passed  within  th^ 
brim  or  cavity  of  the  pelvis.  Having  found  the  deep-seated  or 
right  ovary,  it  must  be  removed  by  laceration.  I  find  that  the 
best  and  most  expeditious  way  is  to  slip  the  other  hand  into  the 
abujininal  cavity;  then,  with  the  right  hand,  I  seize  the  broad 
Ugainent  at  the  base  of  the  ovary ;  my  left  then  clasps  the  ovary, 
a  ad  in  this  way,  by  using  trifling  force,  the  ovary  is  detached  or 
torn  away.  The  left  ovary  is  then  to  be  sought  for,  and  an  as- 
sistant depresses  the  edges  of  the  incision.  At  the  same  time  the 
operator,  having  a  firm  hold  on  the  ovary,  brings  it  into  view, 
so  that  it  can  be  removed  by  means  of  a  pair  of  blunt-pointed 
scissors. 

The  third  stage  of  the  operation  is  the  process  of  uniting  the 
abdominal  muscles,  by  means  of  stitches  or  sutures.  A  curved 
needle,  armed  with  four  or  five  threads  of  shoemaker's  twine,  well 
iDceswaxed,  is  to  be  passed  through  the  abdominal  muscles,  with- 
out penetrating  the  peritoneum,  (lining  membrane  of  the  abdom- 
inal cavity,)  at  interrupted  distances  of  one  inch,  more  or  less. 
Each  suture  is  to  be  securely  tied ;  one  end  of  the  same  is  to  be 
cut  close  to  the  knot,  the  other  is  left  long  enough  to  protrude 
through  the  integumental  incision.  The  skin,  or  integument,  is 
then  to  be  closed  by  means  of  ligature  or  metallic  wire,  leaving  a 
small  orifice  at  the  inferior  or  lower  region  of  the  external  incision, 
for  the  escape  of  morbid  matter.  This  completes  the  operation. 
In  the  course  of  a  week  or  ten  days  the  deep-seated  ligatures  may 
be  pulled  away,  and  when  the  integument  is  well  united,  the  ex- 
ternal stitches  may  also  be  removed.  The  wound  is  healed  by 
Nature,  and  scarcely,  if  ever,  requires  any  sort  of  dressing. 


SECTIOX  XVI. 

REMARKS  ON  THE  CATTLE  PLAGUE* 

DISEASES  of  all  kinds  are  attributable  to  predisposing  and 
exciting  causes.  The  majority  of  maladies  require  a  com- 
bination of  agencies  to  induce  them ;  but  there  are  some  which 
can  only  be  developed  by  one  unchangeable  and  specific  means, 
which  we  designate  contagion.  A  sheep  can  only  become  scabby 
by  the  scab-insect  creeping  on  its  body,  and  there  multiplying. 
A  dog  only  becomes  rabid  by  the  virus  of  another  rabid  animal 
entering  its  system ;  and  scientific  men  are  agreed  that  an  animal 
can  only  be  seized  with  rinderpest  as  the  result  of  direct  or  indi- 
rect communication  of  the  rinderpest  virus  from  a  diseased  to  a 
healthy  animal.  These  are  accepted  truths  which  somewhat  shock 
the  minds  of  people  unacquainted  with  the  mysterious  operations 
of  Nature.  The  question  occurs  to  most  persons  whether,  under 
extraordinary  circumstances,  these  contagious  maladies  are  not 
generated  de  novo.  All  we  can  say  is,  that  as  yet  no  one  has  dem- 
onstrated that  in  the  steppes  (Russian  plains)  cattle  can  be  placed 
under  such  circumstances,  apart  from  being  subjected  to  the  in- 
fluence of  contagion,  as  can  induce  the  disorder.  The  disease  is 
always  there,  roving  to  and  fro,  winter  and  summer,  among  cattle 
of  all  kinds,  sometimes  killing  many,  and  at  other  times  attack- 
ing few.  My  belief  is,  after  searching  in  vain  for  evidence  of  the 
spontaneous  development  of  the  rinderpest  in  Asiatic  or  European 
Russia,  that  the  malady  (just  like  human  small-pox)  is  never  de- 
veloped, jm^  se,  out  of  nothing,  but  is  propagated  in  obedience 
to  immutable;  laws,  such  as  those  which  operate  in  perpetuating 
3niall-pox  in  man.    There  are  periods  of  recrudescence  which  are. 

•  Condensed  from  Mr.  Jotn  Gamgee's  late  great  work  on  the  Cattle  Plagua 
(264) 


THE  CATTLE  PLAGUE.  265 

to  a  great  extent,  accounted  for  by  periodic  and  extraordinary 
movements  of  stock,  as  in  times  of  war,  or  by  an  activated  cattle 
trade;  but  neither  cold  nor  heat,  rain  nor  drought,  storms  nor 
severe  frosts,  aifect  the  propagation  of  the  malady,  except  in  so  far 
as  they  affect  th-e  movements  of  people  and  the  traffic  in  cattle. 

The  predisposition  said  to  exist  in  the  cattle  of  the  steppes  (the 
special  idioo)  ncrasy  which  has  been  spoken  of)  is  observed,  during 
•/ulbreaks  in  AYestern  Europe,  to  manifest  itself  in  rendering  the 
disorder  less  severe,  far  less  malignant,  in  the  cattle  of  Russia 
than  in  any  other  known  breeds.  Jessen  tells  us  that  foreign 
stoct  in  Russia,  acclimatized  and  bred  there,  succumbs  from  at- 
tacks of  the  disease  as  rapidly  as  in  its  native  country.  Thus 
Devon  cattle  imported  into  Russia,  bred  there,  for  years  continue 
to  indicate  a  terrible  susceptibility,  and  are  rapidly  exterminated 
when  the  disease  is  communicated  to  them  by  accidental  contact 
or  artificial  inoculation.  It  is  difficult  to  understand  that  these 
animals,  manifesting  an  extraordinary  susceptibility,  should  not, 
as  it  is  proved  they  do  not,  suffer  from  spontaneous  manifesta- 
tions of  the  disease,  which  have  been  regarded  as  likely  among  the 
less  susceptible  herds  of  the  steppes.  I  do  not  believe  that  the 
flesh  and  blood  of  the  Russian  cattle  are  impregnated  with  thia 
malady,  nor  that  they  inherit  it  as  human  beings  do  scrofula ;  and 
I  am  strongly  disposed  to  regard  the  specific  poison  of  the  cattle 
plague  as  obeying  the  same  laws  of  reproduction  as  those  which 
we  know  regulate  the  development  of  the  virus  of  variola. 

We  are  asked  again.  How  did  the  first  case  occur?  We  must 
give  an  Irishman's  answer,  and  ask.  How  did  the  first  case  of 
Imman  small-pox  or  hydrophobia  occur?  We  can  prove  abso- 
lutely nothing  as  to  their  primary  origin,  and  all  we  can  say  is, 
the  most  careful  observations  show  that  the  transmission  and  pro- 
creation of  certain  animal  poisons,  including  that  of  the  cattle 
])lague,  obey  laws  similar  to  those  which  govern  the  transmission 
and  procreation  of  living  organisms.  Some  day  we  may  know 
more  of  the  vitality  of  animal  poisons.  We  now  know  that  their 
destructive  operations  are  not  more  extraordinary,  and  the  reasons 
for  their  existence  not  more  unfathomable,  than  those  of  many 
parasitic  plants  and  animals  which  seem  to  live  and  to  multiply 
by  undeviating  processes  of  generation,  only  to  shorten  the  exist- 
«yjce  of  the  higher  orders  of  the  animal  or  vegetable  kingdoms. 

It  is  str?nge,  but  true,  that  the  poison  of  the  steppe    jurrain 


266  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  S^jRUEUi. 

may  be  compared  to  any  living  organism  which  only  requires  k 
favorable  habitat  for  its  indefinite  increaoe.  Just  as  the  scab- 
insect  lives  and  breeds  almost  exclusively  on  the  skfn  of  a  sheep, 
fic  does  the  cattle-plague  virus  grow  in  quantity  only  when  it 
meets  with  conditions  favorable  to  its  fructification  in  the  systems 
of  bovine  animals.  This  statement  is  not  affected  by  the  ccca- 
eional  appearance  of  the  disease  among  goats,  sheep,  and  other 
animals ;  for  we  well  know,  after  the  experience  of  centuries,  that 
whatever  animals  may  be  in  a  country,  whenever  the  horned 
stock  has  succumbed  the  disease  vanishes.  It  does,  indeed,  inflict 
some  damage  on  the  flocks  of  sheep;  but  its  slow  and  imperfect 
propagation  among  them  indicates  that  it  needs  a  more  favorable 
nidus  for  its  perfect  and  complete  development. 

If  all  known  facts  seem  to  favor  the  view  that  the  Russian  mur- 
rain owes  its  origin  to  contagion  alone  (even  in  Russia),  no  one 
having  a  knowledge  of  the  subject  believes  that  any  other  cause 
san  induce  it  beyond  the  confines  of  that  country.  Numberless 
outbreaks,  traced  without  doubt  to  contagion,  and  the  certainty 
with  which  the  early  slaughter  of  diseased  animals  extinguishes 
any  manifestation  of  the  malady,  even  in  countries  where  it  ap- 
pears often,  have  tended  to  discard  from  our  minds  the  possibility 
of  any  spontaneous  'development  of  the  plague  over  the  European 
continent,  in  the  new  world,  which  it  has  never  visited,  or  in  the 
islands  of  the  globe.  It  is  singular,  and  it  is  very  instructive, 
that  the  disease  should  alone  be  kept  up  in  a  country  such  as 
Russia.  The  conditions  there  are  all  in  favor  of  the  perpetuation 
of  contagious  maladies ;  and  it  is  important  to  mention  that  even 
small-pox  in  sheep  is  preserved  in  Europe  by  its  constant  presence 
and  frequent  recrudescence  in  Russia. 

The  view  of  the  purely  contagious  nature  of  rinderpest  is  ma- 
terially strengthened  by  the  definite  knowledge  of  the  origin  of 
all  diseases,  which,  undoubtedly,  originate  spontaneously  in  vari- 
ous parts  of  the  world.  The  Siberian  boil  plague,  which  has  been 
confounded  with  the  steppe  murrain,  is  one  of  those  enzootic  dis- 
orders due  to  excessive  heat  in  the  broad  plains  of  Siberia,  and 
especially  in  certain  spots  where  an  elevated  temperature  oper- 
ating on  retentive  and  ill-drained  soils,  produces  a  malady  'Rhich 
certainly  acquires  contagious  properties,  but  which  ceases  with 
the  advent  of  cold  and  the  washing  of  miasmata  into  the  earth. 
The  Siberian  boil  plague  springs  suddenly  into  existence,  is  projr- 


THE  CATTLE  PLAGUE.  267 

agated  a  certain  distance,  but  can  not  spread  far,  after  the  manner 
of  purely  contagious  disorders,  which  are  not  influenced  by  sea- 
sous  or  weather.  I  could  mention  many  similar  instances,  were 
it  necessary,  and  there  is  none  better  than  that  virulent  blood 
disease  which  has  gone  on  increasing  of  late  in  this  country,  in 
districts  where  farmers  grow  the  largest  crops  by  liberally  dis- 
tributing manure  on  fertile  soils.  That  disease  is  splenic  apo- 
plexy, which  has  been  studied  on  the  Northumberland  hills,  in  the 
fens  of  Lincolnshire,  and  the  Somersetshire  pastures.  Professor 
VoELCKER  traced,  in  his  laboratory,  one  of  the  potent  causes  in- 
ducing this  malady  in  the  west  of  England,  and  proved  how  wrong 
it  was  to  give  animals  water  charged  with  the  products  of  organic 
waste,  such  as  nitrates  and  other  salts.  The  Russian  cattle  plague 
never  did  and  never  can  appear  here  but  as  an  imported  pesti- 
lence. All  who  have  seen  this  disease  must,  at  all  events,  admit 
its  highly  infectious  and  contagious  character.  The  air  surround- 
ing a  diseased  animal  is  impregnated  with  volatile  poison,  and 
every  part  of  the  animal's  system  is  charged  with  the  same  prin- 
ciple, bul  in  a  tangible  form  capable  of  being  carried  on  the  point 
of  an  inoculating  needle,  and  of  being  plunged  with  effect  into  the 
tissues  of  a  healthy  ox.  Admitting,  therefore,  that  contagion  is 
.the  great  and  all-potent  exciting  cause,  it  may  be  well  to  enter 
into  details  on  two  points.  We  must  first  discuss  whether  certain 
conditions  directly  affecting  an  animal  render  its  system  more 
than  ordinarily  susceptible  to  the  disease;  and,  secondly,  what 
external  conditions  favor  the  propagation  of  the  virus. 

Causes. — Individual  susceptibility  or  idiosyncrasy  affects  the 
communication  of  the  disorder  to  some,  though  to  a  very  limited 
extent.  We  no  doubt  have  the  striking  illustration  of  the  Rus- 
sian ox,  which  is  often  attacked  in  a  mild  manner ;  and  so  we  find 
in  this  country  that  a  herd  is  killed  out  in  five  days,  and  another, 
of  a  very  similar  kind,  is  not  killed  out  in  a  month,  and  several 
animals  do  not  suffer  at  all.  This  fact  is  partially  explained  by 
the  poison  sometimes  growing  weaker  as  it  passes  from  herd  to 
herd.  We  witness  this  with  all  poisons  ;  and  hence  the  great  im- 
poitance  of  guarding  against  fresh  importations  of  virus,  even 
during  the  prevalence  of  the  steppe  murrain  in  a  country.  The 
broader  the  area  over  which  the  poison  can  meet  with  favorable 
conditions  for  its  development,  the  greater  the  tendency  to  severp 
recrudescence  during  an  outbreak. 


268  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

There  are  some  unaccountable  instances  of  constitutional  im- 
munity, and  animals  in  this  country  have  appeared  to  withstand 
the  disease  with  effect,  or  it  has  attacked  them  so  mildly  as  scarcely 
to  be  observed.  This,  it  is  true,  is  extremely  rare,  but  has  been 
observed  sufficiently  often  to  indicate  that,  whatever  may  be  the 
cause,  one  animal  is  very  susceptible,  and  another  less  so,  to  at  tacks. 
We  can  not  ascertain  the  special  predisposition  until  the  effects  of 
contagion  on  an  animal  have  been  witnessed. 

Age  exerts  no  influence  on  the  disease.  Keesting  has,  how- 
ever, said  that,  as  the  result  of  inoculation,  young  calves  and  cows 
suffer  most  severely.  Lean  or  fat  oxen  are  also  badly  affected; 
but  animals  in  moderate  condition,  and  at  maturity,  seem  to  bear 
up  best  against  the  disease.  As  to  the  influence  of  sex,  it  would 
appear  that,  as  with  other  contagious  maladies,  cows  yielding  milk 
are  very  susceptible.  Pregnant  animals  readily  catch  the  disease, 
but  probably  not  so  readily  during  gestation  as  at  the  period  of 
calving. 

The  conditions  under  which  animals  are  kept  do  not  seem  to 
have  much  influence  on  the  character  and  rapid  spread  of  the  dis- 
order. We  believe  that,  as  a  rule,  the  disease  will  be  most  speed- 
ily prG].)agated  where  animals  are  congregated  in  a  shed  under  one 
roof.  Indeed,  numerous  instances  have  occurred  of  animals,  by 
being  separated,  escaping  the  disease ;  and,  although  it  is  virulent 
enough  in  the  open  air,  the  cases  do  not  follow  each  other  quite  so 
rapidly  as  where  the  cattle  are  housed.  A  proof  of  the  aggrava- 
tion of  the  disease  among  housed  stock  is  its  general  manifestation 
where  sheep  are  constantly  penned  with  cattle,  and  the  common 
escape  of  these  animals  when  they  only  mix  with  oxen  or  cows  in 
the  open  air.  Dr.  Maresch,  who  first  described  the  cattle  plague 
in  sheep  with  accuracy,  showed  that  the  malady  was  only  rife  in 
fi^cks  housed  with  bovine  animals.  The  question  then  arises, 
Does  the  housing  affect  the  constitution  of  animals,  or  does  it 
simply  concentrate  the  poison  ?  It  is  not  improbable  that  it  acts 
m  both  ways.  Every  one  agrees  that  the  depressing  effects  of  bad 
ventilation,  of  breathing  an  impure  atmosphere,  tend  to  aggravate 
and  accelerate  the  malady,  though  there  are  not  wanting  cases  t(? 
prove  the  exact  contrary.  The  same  is  observed  in  other  con- 
tagious diseases ;  and  I  have  known  two  herds  of  heifers,  belong- 
ing to  the  same  owner,  one  housed  and  the  other  in  the  fields, 
seized  with  pleuro-pneumonia  about  the  saiae  time.     The  housed 


THE  CATTLE  PLAGUE.  26l» 

herd,  by  no  means  kept  cleanly,  suffered  little,  while  few  survived 
in  the  open  fields.  I  am  a  great  believer  in  fresh  air,  wholefiorr.3 
food,  and  pure  water ;  but  there  is  absolutely  nothing  to  prove  tnat 
animals  die  more  readily  from  the  cattle  plague  where  the  venti- 
lation is  imperfect,  and  the  food  and  water  far  from  being  of  the 
best  quality. 

It  is  understood  that  the  poison  of  the  cattle  plague  comes  from 
abroad,  and  there  are  those  who  think  that  it  may  be  the  result  of 
confining  cattle  for  days  and  nights  together  in  crowded  ships, 
surrounded  with  dirt,  ill-fed,  and  supplied  with  an  insufficient 
quantity  of  water.  Vivid  descriptions  have  been  Avritten  of  the 
heat,  fetor,  and  steaming  sweat  which  rises  from  the  holds  of  ships 
engaged  in  the  cattle  traffic.  We  are  asked  if  it  be  possible  that 
animals  should  be  thus  ill-used  without  suffering  from  any  or  all 
diseases ;  and  the  foot  and  mouth  disease,  pleuro-pneumonia,  and 
the  cattle  plague,  which  differ  in  intensity,  but  not  in  character, 
have  each  been  ascribed  to  these  general  causes.  It  is  certain  that 
Qialtreatment  is  not  invigorating.  It  may  lead  to  suffocation  or 
severe  constitutional  disturbance ;  but,  in  spite  of  all  the  mis- 
management in  bringing  cattle  across  the  sea,  no  case  of  specific 
disease  has,  to  my  knowledge,  ever  thereby  been  induced.  How- 
ever much  the  animals  may  suffer,  they  can  only  die  of  the  cattle 
plague  with  varying  rapidity  when  that  plague  is  brought  among 
them  by  a  diseased  beast  or  infected  materials.  The  same  remarks 
apply  to  markets,  farm-yards,  and  town  cow-sheds.  The  filthier 
these  places  are,  the  greater,  undoubtedly,  the  facilities  for  infection ; 
but  no  amount  of  filth  ever  produced  a  specific  outbreak  of  lung 
disease  or  rinderpest.  We  concentrate  the  poison  in  foul  places, 
Ijut  we  do  not  create  it. 

We  can,  with  some  show  of  reason,  attribute  to  steam-power  the 
outbreak  of  contagious  diseases  in  this  and  other  countries  during 
the  last  quarter  of  a  century.  But  steam  has  operated  in  facili- 
tating locomotion,  and  in  placing  distant  parts  in  regular  and  rapid 
communication  with  each  other.  Before  countries  were  intersected, 
as  they  now  are,  by  railways,  it  took  several  days  to  transport  ani- 
mals a  distance  of  one  hundred  miles.  It  is,  of  course,  better  to 
move  an  anima.  in  a  pure  van  or  truck  than  to  walk  it  along  roads 
where  its  feet  may  plunge  in  excrement,  or  its  lungs  inhale  the 
breath  of  any  sick  animal  passing,  and  which,  by  some  strange 
fatality.  Is  sure  to  be  approached.     Cattle  are  inquisitive,  and 


270  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

sheej.  flock  toward  sheep ;  so  that  if  they  meet  animals  of  theii 
kind,  and  especially  sick  ones,  they  are  sure  to  run  up  to  them 
and  smell  about,  and  thus  endanger  their  own  lives. 

The  excrement  which  drops  from  animals  affected  with  rinder- 
pest, and  which  are  driven  or  placed  in  trucks  or  vans,  is  highly 
charged  with  poison.  It  readily  communicates  the  disease,  as  has 
been  proved  by  myself  and  others,  by  inoculation ;  and  it  is  well 
known  that  if  a  cow  places  its  foot  in  a  mass  of  this  excrement, 
the  chances  are  that  it  will  be  inoculated.  The  intestinal  gasea 
have  been  collected  and  then  discharged  by  the  diseased  animal, 
so  that,  if  healthy  cattle  inhale  these  gases,  the  probability  is  that 
they  will  contract  the  disease.  The  discharge  from  sick  animals 
generally,  and  their  manure  in  particular,  are  very  apt  to  secure 
an  indirect  contagion.  The  greatest  care  should,  therefore,  be  ex- 
ercised not  to  disseminate  the  poison  by  such  means.  Food  which 
has  been  mouthed  or  breathed  on  by  sick  cattle  is  capable  of  com- 
municating disease,  and  this  should  always  be  kept  in  mind.  It 
is  not  easy  to  determine  if  water,  under  the  same  circumstances, 
has  a  contagious  effect.  Some  persons  have  supposed  that  if  ani- 
mals with  the  Russian  plague  drink  from  a  river  whose  waters  run 
through  other  farms  or  districts,  the  disease  may  be  carried  by  the 
stream  to  great  distances.  This  I  do  not  believe,  inasmuch  as 
water  is  a  great  purifying  and  diluting  agent,  and  even  all  the 
poison  that  a  large  herd  of  cattle  may  drop  into  a  river  can  have 
no  effect,  as  it  passes  on  in  an  enormous  mass  of  water,  which  ef- 
fectually weakens  and  destroys  it.  The  case  is  different  if  animals 
are  made  to  drink  out  of  a  common  pail  or  trough ;  for,  in  such 
a  case,  it  is  not  so  much  the  water  that  carries  the  virus  as  the 
sides  of  the  vessel  containing  that  water.  It  may  be  noted,  how- 
ever, that  cattle  of  different  farms  often  stand  for  hours  together 
in  a  stream  at  only  a  few  yards  apart ;  and  here,  as  in  the  drink- 
ing-trough,  the  virus  contained  in  the  discharges  may  reach 
healthy  animals  unchanged,  and  thus  lead  to  their  contamination. 

In  countries  or  districts  where  contagious  diseases  prevail  among 
cattle  and  sheep,  we  find  that  slaughter-houses  are  favorable  for 
their  dissemination.  This  is  due  to  the  fact  that  plague-stricken 
animals  are  taken  there  for  slaughter,  are  sometimes  kept  alive  for 
hours,  or  even  days,  and,  when  killed,  much  that  is  charged  with 
virus  escapes  in  surface-drains,  or  on  an  open  causeway,  so  that, 
within  a  certain  radius,  there  {•  ?  chance  of  contaminating  healtb.v 


THE  CATTLE  PLAGUE.  27] 

atock,  Ou<  way  in  which  the  cattle  plague  may  be  carried  from 
diseased  cattle  or  from  a  slaughter-house  is  unquestionably  by  flies, 
which,  after  resting  on  the  carcass  or  offal  of  sick  animals,  fly 
about,  rest  again  on  the  animal,  especially  on  any  wounded  parts, 
and  thus  produce  a  direct  inoculation.  Any  place  in  which  many 
animals  affected  with  rinderpest  are  slai%htered,  must  charge  the 
surrounding  neighborhood  with  enough  poison  to  kill  large  num- 
bers of  cattle.  The  hides  and  meat  of  diseased  animals  carry  the 
infection.  In  Hungary  I  am  told  that  one  common  cause  of  rin- 
derpest outbreak  on  a  farm  is  the  hawking  about  of  the  flesh  of 
animals  slaughtered  during  an  attack  of  the  disease.  If  the  water 
in  which  such  meat  is  washed  be  thrown  into  a  yard  to  which  cattle 
have  access,  an  outbreak  is  almost  sure  to  follow.  Jessen  speaks 
of  cattle  becoming  infected  by  drinking  the  water  used  in  soaking 
or  washing  salt  meat.  Slaughter-houses  and  the  traffic  in  hides 
and  meat  are  probably  not  so  active  in  favoring  the  spread  of  the 
rinderpest  as  cattle-dealers'  farms,  and  the  changes  of  stock  which 
necessarily  occur  there.  The  grazing  of  cattle  in  neighboring  fields, 
feeding  them  on  the  road-sides,  driving  them  along  paths  through 
fields  where  there  is  a  right  of  way,  are  all  potent  circumstances 
in  the  dissemination  of  rinderpest. 

No  one  doubts  that  dogs  which  feast  on  the  carcasses  of  diseased 
animals  are  very  liable  to  carry  infection.  I  have  been  consulted 
more  than  once  as  to  the  probability  of  a  pack  of  fox -hounds 
carrying  infection  over  a  country  by  passing  through  fields  con- 
taining sick  cattle,  and  afterward  crossing  healthy  farms.  It  is 
{.'O&sible  that  a  pack  of  hounds  may  carry  much  excrement  charged 
with  organic  poison  from  one  field  to  another;  therefore,  in  an 
infected  district  hunting  should,  in  my  opinion,  be  discontinued. 
Human  beings,  as  well  as  quadrupeds,  are  accused  of  harboring 
the  poison  and  distributing  it,  and  no  doubt  they  do  carry  it,  more 
or  less,  if  great  care  be  not  exercised.  I  have  been  assured  that 
in  Russia  one  common  cause  of  wide-spread  outbreaks  was  the 
practice  of  calling  priests  and  people  together  to  pray  in  the  cattle- 
sheds,  that  the  plague  might  be  stayed,  and  the  assembled  people 
moving  thence  from  farm  to  farm.  Vicq  d'Azyr  demonstrated, 
last  century,  that  if  clothes  worn  by  attendants  on  diseased  cattle 
were  placed  on  sound  stock,  three  animals  out  of  six  would  be 
seized  with  the  disease. 

Without  entering  into  further  details,  I  may    *^ate  that  the 


272  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGER  f. 

causes  here  enumerated  as  affecting  the  transmission  of  l! »  .ariB 
plague  are  not  imaginary  but  real.  Enough  to  mention  that 
farmers  and  others,  who  have  any  thing  to  do  with  rinderpest, 
must  regard  it  as  a  purely  contagious  and  s])ecific  disease,  inca- 
pable of  spontaneous  development,  but  most  readily  and  certainly 
communicable  from  diseafpd  to  healthy  cattle,  and  sometimes  fun  a 
cattle  to  sheep,  or  vice  versa. 

Symptoms. — The  recognition  of  this  disease  is  greatly  facilitated, 
especially  when  it  first  appears  in  a  herd,  by  a  knowledge  of  its 
prevalence  in  any  district  or  country.  I  mention  this,  as  in  many 
diseases  we  have  premonitory  signs  similar  to  those  of  the  cattle 
plague ;  and  it  is  especially  when  we  know  of  its  existence  in  or 
near  a  country,  district,  or  farm  that  the  earlier  symptoms  are  of 
value.  Indeed,  when  an  outbreak  is  studied,  great  importance 
should  be  attached  to  the  period  which  elapses  from  the  intro- 
duction of  a  diseased  animal,  or  other  source  of  infection,  to  the 
first  appearance  of  sickness  in  a  stock.  Every  specific  fever  has 
its  period  of  incubation — that  period  during  which  the  poison  is 
insidiously  attacking  the  system  of  a  man  or  animal — and  there 
is  no  more  distinct  feature  of  the  cattle  jilague  than  its  latent 
stage.  From  four  to  seven  days  is  the  usual  period  of  incubation. 
It  often  extends  to  a  week,  but  very  rarely,  indeed,  beyond  the 
eighth  day.  Some  say  it  may  be  as  short  as  twenty-four  hours, 
and  others  that  it  occasionally  extends  to  twenty-eight  days. 
There  are  no  reliable  facts  in  proof  of  these  extremes,  but  there 
is  a  large  amount  of  evidence  to  show  that  an  animal  may  be  re- 
garded as  absolutely  free  if  it  does  not  show  signs  of  disorder 
within  ten  days  after  having  been  exposed  to  the  contagion.  In- 
deed, recent  inquiries  and  observations  would  lead  one  to  regard 
the  incubative  stage  as  not  often  exceeding  six  days,  though  the 
earlier  or  premonitory  signs  of  an  attack  are  not  apparent  to  non- 
professional observers.  I  consider  this  point  of  the  greatest  im- 
portance in  relation  to  the  subject  of  veterinary  inspection,  and 
one  affording  scope  for  many  experiments  as  to  the  facilities 
offered  for  the  prevention  of  the  disease,  by  recognizing  sickness 
in  animals  before  they  become  dangerous  from  the  discharge  of 
that  poison  which  is  the  cause  of  the  propagation  of  the  malady. 
Whenever  medical  treatment  may  have  to  be  tried,  it  is  at  this 
early  period  that  good  results  may  be  anticipated. 

A  delicate  thermometer  indicates  an  elevation  of  temperatuie  ia 


THE  CATTLE  PLAGUE.  273 

fae  earliest  stage  of  the  disease  varying  from  one  to  fou.  desreesi. 
The  elevation  precedes  the  acceleration  oi  the  pulse  and  every 
other  symptom.  It  is  not  uncommon  to  find  it  in  healthy  ani- 
mals varying  one  or  two  degrees  at  different  period ►«  of  the  day, 
so  that  reliable  observations  can  only  be  made  on  a  number  of 
cattle  at  the  same  time,  obeying  in  all  the  same  conditions  as  to 
the  instrument  used,  the  part  in  which  the  observation  is  made, 
whether  it  be  the  rectum  or  vagina,  and  the  length  of  time  the 
instrument  is  inserted,  etc.  Sometimes,  when  animals  are  excited 
on  a  hot  day,  and  are  hurried  into  a  shed  from  a  field,  the  ther- 
mometer may  rise  one  or  two-tenths  more  than  usual;  but  if  a 
whole  stock  be  examined,  any  animals  suffering,  however  slightly, 
from  the  disease,  indicate  an  elevation  amounting  even  to  five  or 
six  degrees.  Such  an  exaltation  of  temperature  is  generally  in- 
compatible with  health,  and  the  only  exception  yet  known  to  this 
rule  is  that  observed  during  oestrum  or  sexual  excitement;  the 
temperature  then  rises  three  or  four  degrees,  and  the  same  may 
be  seen  just  after  parturition.     A  number  of  experiments  prove: 

First.  That  the  temperature  is  much  exalted  when  the  pulse 
indicates  slight  or  no  variation  from  the  normal  standard. 

Secondly.  That  there  are  variations  in  the  frequency  of  the  pulse 
and  the  temperature  during  th6  course  of  the  disease. 

Thirdly.  A  sudden  lowering  of  temperature  usually,  if  not  al- 
ways, precedes  death.  In  the  cases  quoted  above,  where  the  tem- 
perature last  taken  is  marked  as  high  as  105°  and  104°,  death  did 
not  take  place  until  ten  or  twelve  hours  after  the  last  observation. 

Fourthly.  With  the  lowering  of  temperature  before  death  there 
is  a  greatly  increased  frequency  of  pulse,  varying  from  120  beats 
per  minute  to  such  a  rate  as  to  render  observations  almost  im- 
possible. 

When  animals  recover,  the  temperature  decreases  gradually  till 
it  leaches  its  normal  standard.  There  is  an  absence  of  very 
marked  and  sudden  change.  The  transition  from  sickness  to  con- 
valescence occurs  steadily  and  with  regularity. 

I  consider  it  impossible  to  over-estimate  the  importance  of 
thermometric  observations  such  as  those  referred  to,  and,  although 
similar  results  may  be  obtained  in  the  investigation  of  other  dis- 
eases, it  is  evident  that  the  thermometer  affords  unerring  as  well 
as  early  evidence  of  an  animal  sickening,  recovering,  or  about  to 
die.  No  other  indication  is  so  unmistakable  and  satisfactory ; 
18 


274  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

tnd  though  there  are  other  febrile  diseases  associated  vi'.'-h  an 
early  elevation  in  temperature,  it  must  be  admitted  that,  taken 
with  the  history  and  symptoms  of  the  case,  the  accuracy  afforded 
by  thermometric  observations  is  of  the  highest  moment. 

The  visible  premonitory  signs  consist  in  shivering,  muscular 
tuitchings,  and  uneasiness.  In  some  cases  there  is  dullness,  and 
in  others  excitement  amounting  even  to  delirium  and  associated 
with  remarkable  sensitiveness.  There  is  often  a  short,  husky 
cough ;  the  appetite  is  irregular,  capricious,  and  then  entirely  lost  j 
rumination  ceases;  the  animal  grinds  its  teeth,  yawns,  arches  its 
back,  and  draws  its  legs  together  under  its  body;  the  eyes,  nose, 
and  mouth  are  dry,  red,  and  hot ;  the  extremities  are  cold,  though 
the  internal  heat  is  high;  constipation,  as  a  rule,  exists;  and 
secretion  is  generally  arrested,  as  indicated  in  milch  cows,  by  the 
milk  at  once  ceasing  to  flow.  The  respirations  are  often,  but  not 
invariably,  increased  in  frequency ;  expirations  succeed  the  inspi- 
rations tardily,  and  with  each  there  is  a  low  moan;  the  temper- 
ature continues  to  rise,  though  the  animal's  skin  becomes  rigid, 
and  indicates  functional  derangement  by  a  staring  coat,  dryness, 
and  eruptions. 

The  redness  of  the  visible  mucous  membranes,  especially  of  the 
gums,  lips,  papillae  on  the  inside  of  the  cheeks,  is  partial,  pale,  and 
patchy  at  first.  Dr.  Weber  has  spoken  of  the  aphthous  eruption 
of  the  mouth,  the  aphthae  being  of  circular  or  indefinite  form, 
covered  with  whitish-yellow  granular  exudation,  which  adheres 
very  slightly  and  is  easily  removed.  He  also  speaks  of  the  red- 
ness of  the  papillae  of  the  cheeks  as  always  beginning  at  the  apex, 
Jessen  has  published  a  pamphlet  on  the  appearance  of  the  buccal 
membranes,  which  he  describes  as  sometimes  consisting  in  small, 
round  nodules  (seldom  larger  than  a  millet-seed),  still  covered 
with  epithelium  when  discovered,  through  which  a  yellowish  or 
yellowish-gray  material  can  be  distinguished.  Within  twenty- 
four  hours  the  epithelium  gives  way  and  the  contents  beccane 
visible.  The  result  is  a  superficial  lesion,  which  soon  heals.  In 
other  cases  the  nodules  become  confluent,  and  form  a  considerable 
enervated  ulcer,  with  irregular  margins.  The  so-called  aphtha 
are  described  by  Jessex  as  small  vesicles  due  to  raising  of  the 
epithelium,  and  either  contains  a  clear  watery  or  a  turbid  fluid, 
and  leave  behind  round,  flattened  excoriations,  with  even  edges. 
My  observations,  in  a  considerable  number  r>{  :;ases,  ha-'t    hown 


THE  CATTLE  PLAGUE.  27i) 

tliat  on  the  inner  surface  of  the  lips,  on  the  inside  of  the  nostrils, 
and  other  parts  of  the  mucous  membrane,  there  are  at  first  scarcely 
visible  whitish  opaque  specks,  about  the  size  of  a  small  pin's  heaa. 
These  are  the  starting-points  for  the  softening  and  desquamation 
of  epithelium,  which  results  in  the  dirtyish-yellow,  flaky  appear- 
ance in  some  of  the  worst  cases. 

"When  a  number  of  milch  cows  has  to  be  examined,  one  of  the 
first  symptoms  to  look  for  is  redness,  and  a  mottled  appearance 
of  the  lining  membrane  of  the  vulva  and  vagina.  Animals  in 
apparently  perfect  health,  eating  well,  ruminating,  yielding  a  full 
quantity  of  milk,  are  seen  to  have  a  reddened  condition  of  the 
mucous  membrane  of  the  external  organs  of  generation.  The 
redness  of  the  vagina  also  occurs  in  animals  that  have  recently 
calved,  and  it  is  important  to  guard  against  this  source  of  fallacy. 
In  many  cases  the  continuous  rigors,  and  singular  muscular 
twitchings  of  the  face,  ears,  and  neck,  may  be  regarded  as  char- 
acteristic. They  are  not,  however,  so  typical  as  the  discharge 
from  the  eyes  and  nose,  which  soon  appears,  and  which,  from 
being  glary  and  watery,  changes  shortly  to  a  turbid  secretion. 
No  symptoms  can  better  illustrate  the  care  required  in  diagnosis 
than  the  discharge  both  from  the  eyes  and  nose.  A  marked 
symptom  is  restlessness,  lying  down  and  rising  again;  sometimes 
looking  round  to  the  flank,  and  by  drawing  the  hind  legs  forward, 
denoting  more  or  less  colic  or  abdominal  pain.  Animals  often  lie 
on  the  left  side,  with  the  head  stretched  across  the  right  flank. 
Severe  diarrhea  sets  in,  and  the  animal  becomes  very  thirsty. 
Emphysematous  (windy)  swellings  are  apt  to  form  at  this  period, 
and  there  are  exacerbations  (violent)  of  all  the  symptoms  toward 
night-time.  The  discharges  are  all  fetid,  especially  in  severe 
oases.  The  urine  is  rather  scanty,  and  generally,  if  not  always, 
albuminous.  This  stage  lasts  about  three  days.  The  syn^ptoma 
increase  in  severity.  The  dysentery  is  aggravated,  and  the  animal 
becomes  extremely  weak ;  it  stands  and  walks  with  difficulty,  and 
lies  much.  The  pulse  becomes  feeble  and  indistinct  at  the  jaw; 
it  beats  from  90  to  130  per  minute.  The  discharge  from  the  eyes, 
nose,  and  vagina  increases;  the  cough  becomes  less  audible  and 
soft.  On  the  buccal  and  schneiderian  membranes,  as  well  as  in 
the  clefts  of  the  feet,  there  is  a  deep  redness,  with  flaky  discharge 
of  epithelium.  The  muzzle,  angles  of  the  mouth,  and  membrane 
round  the  nasal  orifices  are  sometimes  ulcerated,  with  a  greenish- 


27b  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

yellow  and  somewhat  dense  granular  and  epithelial  deposit.  On 
opening  the  mouth,  a  similar  change  about  the  base  of  the  tongue 
and  on  the  inside  of  the  lips  is  often  found.  The  coldness  of  the 
extremities,  or  of  the  body  generally,  the  stupor  or  drowsiness^ 
quick  breathing,  and  fetor  of  the  exhalations,  with  spasmodic 
action  of  the  alse  nasi,  jerking  respiration,  and  moaning,  are  am».a^ 
the  most  unfavorable  symptoms.  The  feces,  at  first  dark,  become 
slimy,  charged  with  masses  of  detached  epithelium,  are  very  fetid, 
and  are  more  or  less  tinged  with  blood.  The  urine  acquires  a 
dark  color,  due  to  the  coloring  principles  of  bile.  Cows  abort, 
and  all  symptoms  of  sensibility  or  consciousness  gradually  dis- 
appear. 

I  have  seen  many  cases  which  presented,  from  the  earliest  mo- 
ment, great  disturbance  of  the  organs  of  respiration.  A  hacking 
cough,  depressed  and  protruded  head,  spasmodic  action  of  the  nos- 
trils and  flanks,  indicate  serious  pulmonary  lesions.  Emphysema 
takes  place,  and  usually  begins  in  the  anterior  lobes.  Dr.  Weber 
remarks  that  the  anterior  intercostal  spaces  become  somewhat 
fixed,  whereas  the  posterior  true  ribs  are  raised  with  an  effort, 
and  sink  rapidly.  On  percussion,  the  thorax  is  found  to  be  very 
resonant,  and  this  resonance  bec^omes  greater  as  the  emphysema 
increases.  On  auscultation,  raks  of  various  pitches  are  hear(Iy 
either  accompanying  the  vesicular  murmur  or  superseding  it.  The 
heart's  sounds  become  inaudible,  and  impulse  imperceptible  o.i 
the  left  side.  As  death  approaches,  the  mucous  membranes  often 
acqu*.re  a  leaden  hue;  the  erosions  (ulcerations)  are  marked,  and 
blood -spots,  or  ecchymoses,  occur.  The  partially  open  and  dark 
red  or  otherwise  discolored  aspect  of  the  inner  surface  of  the  lips 
or  the  vulva  can  not  fail  to  be  noticed  at  this  stage.  The  invol- 
untary evacuation  of  excrement,  extreme  fetor  of  all  discharges, 
tendency  to  tympanitis,  muscular  twitching,  lowering  of  temper- 
ature, and  increasing  listlessness  betoken  the  approach  of  death. 

In  some  cases  there  are  signs  of  improvement  about  the  third 
day,  and  then  a  relapse  occurs.  Animals  may  become  quite  con- 
valescent; but  still  the  gastric  or  intestinal  lesions  advance,  and 
when  least  expected,  a  fortnight  or  three  weeks  after  marked  im- 
provement, alarming  symptoms  supervene,  severe  diarrhea  occurs 
with  the  return  of  other  discharges,  and  the  animal  soon  sinks 
and  elites. 

In  favorable  nt^nes  we  find  a  cutaneous  eruption  on  various  parts 


THE  CATTLE  PLAGUE.  277 

of  tht  ;Mcin,  especially  on  the  neck,  back,  and  teats,  not  unlike 
cow-pox.  There  are  instances  of  severe  illness  and  death  with 
this  eruption,  and,  indeed,  in  bad  cases,  we  sometimes  find  a  dirty 
yellow  appearance  of  the  skin  of  the  back,  and  a  desquamation  of 
epidermis,  which  indicates  a  morbid  process  of  the  skin,  similar 
to  that  affecting  the  mucous  membranes.  The  surface  of  the  skin 
over  tl.e  neck  and  withers  is  often  moist  or  greasy  from  an  abun- 
dant r:iebaceous  secretion.  There  are  no  vesicles,  and  an  entire 
absence,  as  a  rule,  of  pustules.  Convalescence  is  indicated  by  a 
certain  vivacity,  return  of  appetite,  equable  temperature  of  the 
body  and  extremities,  restored  secretion  of  milk,  moist  muzzle, 
and  other  well-known  signs  of  health. 

As  with  other  fevers,  we  find  in  the  rinderpest  a  marked  peri 
odicity  in  its  manifestations.  Improvement  in  the  morning,  vio- 
lence of  symptoms  at  night ;  a  distinct  subdivision  of  an  attack 
into  stages,  and,  from  the  date  of  the  crisis,  either  sudden  aggra 
vation  or  gradual  abatement  of  alarming  symptoms.  There  are. 
aj;  times,  chronic  cases,  as  in  lung  disease,  and  animals  get  into  a 
hectic  state,  out  of  which  they  can  not  be  rallied.  It  is,  therefore, 
evident  that  the  duration  of  the  malady  varies.  I  have  seen  ani- 
mals dead  in  the  evening  which  had  only  indicated  active  signs 
of  the  complaint  for  the  first  time  during  the  early  part  of  the 
same  day.     As  a  rule,  death  occurs  from  the  third  to  the  sixth  day. 

Symptoms  in  the  Sheep. — The  cattle  plague  among  sheep  is 
characterized  by  comparatively  mild  symptoms,  and  frequently 
speedy  restoration  to  health.  In  1857,  Dr.  Kreutzer  first  de- 
8.3ribed  the  symptoms  of  the  cattle  plague  as  observed  on  a  sheep 
■vdiich  had  been  inoculated  on  the  1st  of  October.  The  period  of 
incubation  lasted  till  the  9th,  and  was  followed  by  general  dis- 
turbance, discharge  from  eyes  and  nose,  prostration,  moaning  and 
diarrhea.  The  animal  died  on  the  13th.  Dr.  Maresch  observed 
the  disease  more  carefully  from  1860  to  1863,  and  since  then  mucii 
information  has  been  obtained.  The  period  of  incubation  extends 
usually  to  seven  or  eight  days;  languor  and  dullness  appear,  with 
r(»dness  and  prominence  of  the  conjunctiva  at  the  inner  angle  of 
the  eye.  There  is  a  yellow  discharge  which  trickles  down  the 
face,  and  a  viscid  phlegm  flows  from  the  nostrils ;  the  head  droops, 
and  there  is  grinding  of  teeth ;  the  appetite  is  diminished  and 
capricious;  rumination,  suspended;  feces,  thinnish,  and  partly 
%dhcring  to  the  hind  legs  and  tail;  there  is  an  occasional    ough, 


278  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

with  frequent  pulse  and  labored  breathing ;  the  pulse  rises  from 
120  to  160  beats  per  minute.  Ewes  not  unfrequently  abort,  or 
bring  forth  weakly  lambs,  which  afterward  rally.  It  is  not  at  all 
unusual  for  the  disease  to  cease  at  this  period,  and  the  animals  to 
recover  rapidly.  In  other  cases  the  diarrhea  increases ;  there  is 
painful  straining,  or  tenesmus,  panting  respiration,  very  feeble 
pulse,  and  the  animal  sinks.  Great  weakness,  awkward  gait,  and 
somewhat  severe  nervous  or  convulsive  symptoms  mark  fatal 
cases,  when  death  occurs  about  the  fourth,  fifth,  or  sixth  day  from 
the  commencement  of  the  disease.  When  a  case  takes  the  more 
usual  and  favorable  turn,  there  is  more  liveliness,  improved  appe- 
tite, restored  rumination,  less  discharge  from  the  eyes  and  nose, 
and  diminished  frequency  of  pulse  and  respirations.  The  animals 
are  quite  convalescent  in  from  ten  to  fourteen  days.  In  some 
cases,  such  as  those  observed  by  Dr.  Leicht  in  1860,  the  disease 
is  more  rapid.  The  animals  stagger,  lie  down  much,  shake  their 
heads,  have  a  dense  discharge  from  the  eyes,  are  subject  to  diar- 
rhea, and  die,  sometimes,  within  twenty-four  hours  of  the  first 
appearance  of  premonitory  signs. 

There  are  as  great  variations  in  the  symptoms  in  sheep  as  there 
are  among  cattle.  Some  cases  differ  from  those  described  above, 
as  the  animals  stand,  are  dull,  and  keep  apart  from  the  flock ;  there 
is  no  appetite,  no  rumination ;  constipation  at  first,  followed  by 
diarrhea ;  arched  back ;  elevated  temperature  of  the  skin ;  eyes 
sunken  and  discharging ;  from  the  nose  a  quantity  of  dense,  gray- 
ish-yellow, flaky  matter  drops,  and  the  mucous  membranes  of  the 
moutli  and  nose  are  reddened,  showing  erosions  and  desquamations 
of  epithelium ;  the  breathing  and  pulse  are  accelerated ;  there  is 
pain  on  pressing  the  loins,  and,  at  last,  general  prostration. 

Special  Symptonis  in  cases  of  Cattle  Plague  coupled  with  Pleuro- 
pneumonia.—The  animals  seized  Avith  the  two  diseases  at  once 
are  observed  to  suffer  from  greater  prostration  and  more  labored 
breathing  at  the  outset.  The  short  grunt  of  lung  disease  begins 
early ;  there  is  a  spasmodic  action  of  the  nostrils,  and,  on  auscul- 
tation, the  impervious  condition  of  the  portion  of  the  diseased  lung 
is  ascertained.  Any  one  acquainted  with  the  two  diseases  can  read- 
ily recognize  such  cases. 

Special  Symptoms  in  cases  of  Cattle  Plague  coupled  with  th» 
Foot  and  Mouth  Disease.— Lt  is  more  difficult  to  diagnose  rinder- 
pest in  its  earliest  stages  when  epizootic  aphtha  has  attacked  a 


THE  CATTLE  PLAGUE.  279 

herd.  Smacking  of  th»  lips,  eruption,  and  salivation  exist;  but 
the  greatest  reliance  is  to  be  placed  in  the  usual  lameness  and 
morbid  condition  of  the  feet  in  foot  and  mouth  disease,  as  also  the 
usual  eruption  on  the  teats,  and  tendency  to  congestion  and  in- 
flammation of  the  udder.  When  the  cattle  '^Jague  advances,  there 
is  the  shivering,  discharge  from  the  eyes  and  nose,  the  diarrhea 
and  prostration  not  usually  seen  in  epizootic  aphtha. 

The  Nature  of  the  Cattle  Plague. — From  all  that  has  been  said 
in  the  preceding  pages,  it  is  evident  that  the  murrain  of  the  steppes 
is  not  typhus,  nor  is  it  the  typhoid  or  enteric  fever  which  we  ob- 
serve in  man.  Not  only  is  it  distinct  in  its  origin,  progress,  and 
essential  nature  from  any  known  contagious  disease  of  the  human 
subject,  but  it  is,  undoubtedly,  a  specific  bovine  fever,  manifesting 
all  its  characteristic  features  in  horned  cattle  alone,  though  expe- 
rience has  proved  that  there  are  circumstances  under  which  the 
plague  may  be  communicated  to  the  buffalo,  goat,  sheep,  deer, 
gazelle,  zebu,  yak,  auroch,  ibex,  and  other  wild  ruminants.  One 
experiment,  performed  by  myself,  proves  the  communication  of  the 
disease  to  the  deer ;  but  it  is  remarkable  that  until  the  recent  out- 
break of  rinderpest  in  the  gardens  of  the  Paris  Acclimatization 
Society,  in  the  Bois  de  Boulogne,  it  was  not  known  that  the  ma- 
jority of  wild  ruminants  could  catch  the  disease  and  suffer  from 
it  in  a  virulent  form.  It  never  attacks  men,  horses,  dogs,  and, 
indeed,  the  great  majority  of  warm-blooded  animals;  and  it  is 
worthy  of  special  remark  that  the  virulent  animal  poison,  which 
is  the  active  agent  in  the  development  and  propagation  of  the 
malady,  originates  in  the  system  of  the  ox,  is  perpetuated  in 
countries  where  herds  of  cattle  abound,  and  is  not  to  be  found 
where  bovine  animals  are  wanting.  The  history  of  the  cattle 
plague  clearly  indicates  that  the  disease  has  been  always  recognized 
as  attacking  horned  stock  almost  exclusively,  and  that  it  spread ' 
from  country  to  country  through  the  trade  in  cattle  or  the  trans- 
port of  oxen  in  the  rear  of  armies.  The  poison  does  pass  through 
the  system  of  some  ruminants  besides  those  of  the  bovine  race,  but 
it  appears  to  be  deprived  of  much  of  its  force  until  it  returns  to 
members  of  the  ox  tribe. 

The  cattle  plague  is  not  a  local  disorder;  it  is  not  an  affection 
of  any  special  organ  or  group  of  organs.  It  is  a  systemic  disease — • 
a  fever  in  which  the  mucous  membranes  and  skin  are  specially 
implicated.     There  are  important  local  and  characteristic  mani' 


280  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  fctJRGEKY. 

festations,  usually  most  marked  in  the  mouth,  fourth  stomach,  and 
intestines,  in  the  organs  of  generation,  and  frequently  in  the  re- 
spiratory passages.  It  is,  however,  something  different,  and  some- 
thing more  than  an  inflammation  of  the  breathing,  or  digestive, 
or  generative  systems.  The  cell  growth,  fatty  and  molecular  dis- 
integrations, desquamation,  and  discharge  of  the  epithelial  and 
epidermic  cells,  are  typical  of  this  disease.  In  this  way  it  can 
only  be  classified  among  general  diseases,  with  fevers  of  a  specific 
kind,  and  which  originate  from  specific  causes,  run  a  definite 
course,  manifest  a  singular  periodicity  in  their  progress,  and  have 
a  marked  tendency  to  destroy  life. 

The  pathological  process,  observed  from  first  to  last,  indicates 
an  early  development  of  severe  febrile  disturbance.  All  the  func- 
tions are  modified.  The  temperature  of  the  body  fast  rises ;  gen- 
eral functional  disturbance  soon  follows,  and  the  blood  loses  its 
watery  parts  and  soluble  albumen,  indicating,  also,  a  large  increase 
in  the  proportion  of  blood-corpuscles  and  fibrine  to  serum.  The 
process  of  assimilation  is  checked ;  the  large  reservoirs  in  which 
the  food  is  prepared  for  true  gastric  and  intestinal  digestion  be- 
come torpid ;  the  rumen,  reticulum,  and  ornasum  retain  a  large 
quantity  of  solid  food,  and  their  movements  are  stopped ;  the 
fourth  stomach  ceases  to  secrete  gastric  juice,  its  epithelium  is 
thrown  off,  a  morbid  cellular  deposit  clogs  the  gastric  glands,  and 
the  proper  preparation  of  aliment  for  intestinal  digestion  can  no 
longer  occur.  The  intestine  is  the  seat  of  inflammation  and  ex- 
travasation; its  contents  indicate  the  drain  of  the  blood  of  its 
soluble  albumen  and  other  products ;  the  intestinal  epithelium  is 
rapidly  ejected,  and,  in  some  cases,  many  of  the  glands  become 
clogged  with  a  deposit  similar  to  that  which  is  found  in  the  folli- 
cles of  the  gastric  mucous  membrane.  A  free  suppuration  is  no- 
where witnessed,  but  discharges  flow  from  the  mucous  membranes, 
and  are  highly  charged  with  epithelial  cells  and  the  specific  virus 
of  the  disease.  The  rapidity  and  completeness  of  the  general 
functional  disturbance  is  indicated  not  only  by  the  checked  pro- 
cess of  assimilation,  the  nature  of  the  intestinal  contents,  and  the 
general  implication  of  the  mucous  membranes,  but  it  is  recognized 
on  an  examination  of  the  albuminous  and  dark-colored  urine,  the 
disposition  to  early  putrefaction,  fetor  of  the  secretions,  etc.  All 
shows  that  the  cattle  plague  poison  speedily  induces  in  the  system  of 
a  sufoeptible  animal  changes  which  defy  the  successful  use  of  niedi- 


THE  CATTLE  PLAGUi..  281 

cine,  and  which  must  inevitably  result  in  death.  Like  most  ani- 
mal poisons,  the  rinderpest  virus  is  reproduced  with  marvelous 
rapidity  in,  and  discharged  abundantly  from,  the  bodies  of  sick 
animals.  The  breath  of  a  sick  ox  inspired  by  a  healthy  animal, 
and  the  solid  products  of  the  disease,  seem  to  be  alike  capable  of 
inducing  the  malady;  and  antidotes  are  applied  too  late  when  an 
attempt  is  made  to  reach  the  poison  in  the  animal's  system.  I 
know  of  no  antidote  to  be  used  internally.  Agents  are  employed 
which,  when  directly  mixed  with  the  virus,  kill  it ;  and  caustic 
alkalies,  mineral  acids,  chlorine,  iodine,  carbolic  acid,  creosote, 
the  alkaline  permanganates,  and  other  oxidizing  or  decomposing 
agents,  render  it  perfectly  inert.  I  have  no  faith  in  our  ever 
reaching  the  virus  with  effect  in  the  living  animal.  "We  must 
not  even  expect  too  much  from  the  system  of  treating  certain 
symptoms  during  the  progress  of  the  disease,  which  is  frequently 
confounded  by  the  unskilled  with  the  effectual  treatment  of  the 
disease  itself  A  large  proportion  of  animals  seized  must  always 
die.  A  certain  percentage  will  always  recover,  and  this  depends 
on  the  severity  of  the  attack,  the  constitutional  resistance  of  the 
animals  seized,  and  the  consequent  extent  and  rapidity  of  the 
morbid  changes  which  occur. 

Treatment. — The  steppe  murrain  is  essentially  one  of  those  dis- 
eases for  which  prevention  is  better  than  attempted  cure.  Urgently 
enforcing  this  doctrine  has  cost  me  the  good  opinion  of  some,  who, 
without  duly  considering  the  importance  of  slaughtering  the  dis- 
eased and  infected  animals  for  the  protection  of  many  untainted 
lierds,  argue  that  it  is  not  scientific  to  exterminate  the  malady  by 
<lestroying  diseased  animals.  The  cattle  plague  can  be  prevented 
and  can  be  extinguished,  at  comparatively  small  cost  and  with  the 
greatest  certainty,  in  countries  such  as  England.  Whatever  ten- 
tative trials  are  made  as  to  treatment,  this  fact  must  ultimately 
reveal  itself,  that  it  is  impossible  to  deal  with  outbreaks  of  rinder- 
pest by  administering  drugs.  I  hold  it  to  be  eminently  scientific 
to  act  on  our  knowledge  of  the  cause  of  any  disease ;  and,  know- 
iiig,  from  lengthened  experience,  how  easily  disseminated  and  ma- 
lignant cattle  plague  virus  is,  it  has  been  my  duty  to  insist  on  ita 
early  and  complete  destruction,  so  that  it  should  never  reach  the 
systems  of  herds  of  animals,  in  which,  when  it  has  once  entered 
it  can  not  be  counteracted  by  any  known  antidote. 

The  cattle  plague  is  not  so  deadly  in  its  effects  as  equine  glan- 


28:::  dadd's  veterinary  medicine  axiD  surgerv. 

ders,  cancer,  or  well-developed  human  phthisis;  but  no  known 
remedy  restores  an  animal  once  severely  attacked,  and  the  admin- 
istration of  medicine  is,  as  a  rule,  not  required  to  save  the  small 
percentage  which  may  recover.  As,  however,  the  malady  has  been 
suffered  to  spread,  veterinarians  are  called  upon  to  adopt  means 
of  cure.  With  a  view,  therefore,  to  indicate  what  has  been  sug- 
gested and  what  may  be  attempted,  I  shall  draw  attention  to  the 
following  points: 

Peecautions  to  be  observed  so  as  to  prevent  thf 
spread  of  disease  from  a  herd  under  treatment 

Hygienic  management. 

Medicinal  agents  used. 

Methods  of  treatment  suggested  a't  various  times  in 

THIS   country   and   ABROAD. 

Precautions  to  be  observed  so  as  to  Prevent  the  Spread  of  Lisea^ 
from  a  herd  under  Treatment. — Diseased  cattle  should  be  placed  for 
treatment  in  warm  and  detached  buildings  where  proper  ventila- 
tion, drainage,  and  facilities  for  feeding  can  be  obtained.  They 
should  not  be  left  in  the  fields,  and  a^e  best  kept  entirely  in  the 
house  until  perfectly  recovered.  The  sheds  should  be  kept  clean, 
frequently  disinfected,  and  every  particle  of  urine  and  excrement 
must  be  disinfected  by  means  of  chlorinated  lime.  People  attend- 
ing the  stock  must  be  kept  there  for  that  purpose,  and  not  allowed 
to  rove  about  and  go  on  other  farms,  or  to  fairs  and  markets.  All 
dogs  should  be  tied  up,  and  every  attention  paid  to  cleanliness 
with  other  stock  and  in  farm-yards  generally.  Dirt  and  negli- 
gence are  great  propagators  of  the  cattle  plague.  It  is  impossible 
to  be  too  clean  or  too  careful  in  avoiding  the  carriage  of  tainted 
objects  from  an  infected  to  a  healthy  farm  or  district. 

Hygienic  Management. — This  is  of  far  greater  importance  than 
any  medicine  or  system  of  medication  hitherto  recommended ;  and 
I  have  to  direct  the  attention  of  my  professional  brethren  to  sev- 
eral points  of  incalculable  importance.  It  is  not  desirable  to  have 
many  animals  in  the  same  shed  when  under  treatment,  and  several 
attendants  are  essential,  so  that  proper  care  be  taken  of  the  cattle. 
When  a  large  stock  has  to  be  treated,  the  labor  and  trouble  is 
enormous;  it  will  not  do,  therefore,  to  trust  to  a  few  attendants, 
who  get  tired  and  faint-hearted  over  their  work,  especially  wnen 
the  number  of  animals  recovering  is  not  large.  If  possible,  it  is 
nnd/'ibtedly  best  to  have  the  animals  loose :  but  this  can  only  be 


THE  CATTLE  PLAGUE.  283 

secured  where  isolated  eases  are  under  treatment.  With  f'-i'ty  or 
fifty  beasts  sick  at  one  time,  loose  boxes  can  not  usually  be  obtained ; 
and  it  is  not  desirable  to  keep  many  sick  animals  loose  in  a  yard. 
As  a  rule,  in  winter  all  the  animals  should  be  clothed,  lightly,  but 
sufficiently,  so  as  to  favor  cutaneous  exhalation.  The  shed  is  best 
kept  at  a  proper  and  never-varying  temperature,  not  exceeding 
58°  Fahrenheit.  Proper  ventilation  is  indispensable  to  recovery, 
and  heat  must  not  be  purchased  at  the  expense  of  atmospheric 
purity.  Clothe  the  animals  rather  than  close  the  aperatures  made 
for  the  purposes  of  ventilation.  In  order  to  secure  purity  of  the 
atmosphere,  every  attention  should  be  paid  to  sweeping  away  ex- 
crement and  washing  the  stalls  thoroughly  by  means  of  common 
soda  and  water.  The  use  of  chlorinated  lime  is  not  to  be  advocated 
where  stock  is  under  treatment,  as  the  chlorine  gas  induces  great 
disturbance,  irritation  of  the  respiratory  passages,  and  a  trouble- 
some cough.  I  prefer  cleanliness  and  abundance  of  fresh  air  where 
the  cattle  are  actually  diseased,  to  any  system  of  disinfectants,  and 
the  chlorinated  lime  is  best  used  to  disinfect  the  manure-heap  and 
other  objects  outside  the  shed  containing  the  sick.  The  food  al- 
lowed to  animals  varies  much  according  to  circumstances.  During 
the  various  stages  of  acute  disease  it  should  be  given  sparingly. 
At  first  linseed  tea  or  linseed  gruel,  well  boiled,  may  serve  as  a 
laxative,  with  or  without  medicine.  Linseed  is  not  to  be  con- 
tinued when  purging  begins ;  well-boiled  oatmeal  gruel  should  then 
be  substituted  for  it.  The  oatmeal  gruel,  which  is  perhaps  the 
best  nutritive  material  to  be  given  from  first  to  last,  is  made  by 
taking  a  peck  of  meal  for  every  three  or  four  animals,  and  adding 
some  cold  water.  Boiling  water  is  then  mixed  and  stirred  with  the 
whole,  until  it  acquires  a  proper  consistency  to  be  poured  through 
a  towel  or  sieve ;  and  thus  all  the  coarser  and  more  indigestible 
portions  of  the  meal  are  removed.  The  gruel  is  boiled  for  at  least 
ten  minutes  or  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  and  is  used  warm.  About 
half  a  gallon  of  it  may  be  given  three  or  four  times  daily ;  and  if 
the  cattle  drink  it  voluntarily,  so  much  the  better.  Badly-made 
oatmeal  gruel  irritates  the  stomach  and  intestines,  and  aggravates 
the  diarrhea.  When  animals  are  severely  affected  they  do  not 
eat ;  but  if  they  have  any  appetite,  well-boiled  mashes  should  be 
made  for  them.  Of  these  we  can  suggest  a  great  variety,  such  as 
steeping  barley  for  a  time,  throwing  off  the  water,  adding  fresh, 
and  boiling  the  barley :  the  whole  is  thru  allowed  to  rest  for 


284  UADDS   VCTEIUNARY  MEDICINE  AND  SUKGEKi. 

awhile,  and  bran  is  mixed  with  it,  as  well  as  a  '.ertain  quantity 
of  well-boiled  turnip?.  The  mash  must  be  mcderately  salted. 
The  barley  may  be  replaced  by  brewer's  grains,  and  a  moderate 
quantity  of  bean  or  peasemeal — say  half  a  pound  of  the  latter 
morning  and  night.  One  of  the  best  managers  of  cows  I  ever 
knew  made,  for  every  sick  animal  that  would  eat,  a  mash  of  four 
handfuls  of  bran,  four  of  brewer'^  draff,  one  pound  of  peasemeal, 
and  two  pounds  of  well-boiled  mashed  turnips.  This  was  given 
thrice  daily  to  each  animal.  Cattle  have  been  fed  on  milk,  soups, 
etc.,  but  not  with  the  same  benefit  as  with  vegetable  food  which 
was  properly  cooked,  and  not  allowed  to  get  sour.  Great  modera- 
tion in  diet  is  essential.  The  sick  cattle  must  have  cold  water  to 
drink  in  small  quantities,  and  at  least  every  two  hours.  Their 
mouths  are  parched,  and  great  benefit  is  derived  from  frequent 
allowances  of  fresh  water,  which  may  be  acidulated  with  a  little 
vinegar,  or  given  alone.  All  animals  under  treatment  must  be 
kept  scrupulously  clean,  and  are  benefited  by  brushing,  washing, 
band-rubbing,  bandaging  the  legs,  etc.  As  a  means  of  insuring 
cleanliness  and  action  of  the  skin,  I  think  it  is  very  probable  that 
the  hot-air  bath,  when  at  hand,  may  be  of  great  service,  as  also 
the  vapor  bath  or  the  wet  packing,  used  occasionally. 

Medicines. — The  plan  principally  adopted  in  the  treatment  of 
cattle  suffering  from  steppe  murrian  has  consisted  in  giving  so- 
lutions, mixtures,  and  powders,  either  alone  or  in  food.  There 
are  various  ways,  however,  which  might  be  resorted  to,  and  per- 
haps with  benefit,  and  which  would  effectually  set  aside  some  of 
the  uncertain  and  often  injurious  administration  of  draughts.  In 
order  to  explain  myself  fully  on  this  subject,  I  shall  consider  the 
various  methods  by  which  remedies  may  be  given  internally. 

Administration  by  the  Mouth. — It  is  often  possible,  in  the  early 
stage  of  disease,  and  in  favorable  cases  when  appetite  returns  in 
the  later  stages,  to  give  animals  tasteless  or  palatable  drugs  in 
food,  and  this  is  by  far  the  best  plan.  The  frequent,  troublesome, 
and  somewhat  dangerous  drenching  to  which  sick  cattle  are  sub- 
jected, should,  if  possible,  be  dispensed  with.  I  have  seen  so 
many  animals  tormented  and  injured  by  the  administration  of 
medicines,  treacle,  gruel,  and  other  liquids,  that  I  venture  to 
make  a  few  remarks  on  the  operation  of  giving  a  draught.  In 
the  first  place,  glass  bottles  are  dangerous ;  and  nothing  is  so  use- 
fill  as  a  horn  of  proper  shape,  or  a  tin  instrument  made  in  ths 


THE  CATTLE  PLAGUE.  2  ^> 

snape  of  i.  norn,  with  its  mouth  well  rounded  off.  The  operator 
should  go  up  to  the  right  side  of  the  animal,  pass  his  hand  over 
the  face  into  the  angle  of  the  mouth  on  the  left  side.  The  head 
is  bent  round,  not  elevated,  except  to  a  very  slight  extent;  and  if 
the  person  giving  the  draught  plants  his  feet  well  on  the  ground, 
with  his  back  against  the  animal's  shoulder,  he  can  steady  him» 
self  well,  and,  holding  the  horn  or  other  instrument  charged  with 
the  draught  in  his  right  hand,  he  can  pour  it  by  degrees  into  the 
animal's  mouth.  It  has  often  pained  me  to  see  sick  cattle  seized 
by  the  nose,  and,  with  their  heads  drawn  up  and  necks  stretched 
out,  required  to  gulp  down  a  quantity  of  liquid  which  can  not  be 
conveniently  swallowed  in  such  a  position.  Often  have  I  seen  an 
animal  get  worse  after  such  treatment,  and  the  passage  of  medi- 
cine into  the  windpipe  and  lungs  was  not  unfrequently  the  cause 
of  aggravated  symptoms.  One  great  objection  to  the  adminis- 
tration of  draughts  when  an  animal  is  suffering  from  the  cattle 
plague  is,  that  they  accumulate  in  the  rumen,  do  not  reach  the 
true  stomach  until  the  diarrhea,  inseparable  from  the  disease,  set» 
in,  and  then  the  accumulated  drugs  exert  a  most  prejudicial  in- 
fluence. It  is  incredible  how  long  a  vast  amount  of  medicine, 
and  very  acrid,  irritating  medicine,  too,  may  remain  unchanged, 
unabsorbed,  and  inactive  in  the  paunch  of  an  ox,  which  is  usually 
full  of  vegetable  food  throughout  the  progress  of  an  attack  of  the 
plague. 

Administration  by  the  Rectum. — Injections,  given  carefully  with 
an  enema  funnel,  have  the  benefit  of  creating  little  disturbance, 
and  the  power  of  solution  and  absorption  of  remedies  is  probably 
as  great,  if  not  greater,  in  the  rectum  during  this  disease  as  in 
the  stomach  and  small  intestine.  Simple  warm-water  injections, 
cathartic,  stimulating,  sedative,  and  even  nutritive  enemata,  de- 
serve a  fair  trial,  and  as  much  good  may  be  anticipated  from  them 
as  from  the  administration  of  draughts. 

Subcutaneous  Injections. — Various  medicinal  agents  have  been 
effectually  introduced  into  the  system  by  being  injected  into  the 
open  tissue  beneath  the  skin.  This  plan  can  be  adopted  if  such 
remedies  as  tincture  of  aconite,  solutions  of  belladonna,  of  various 
alkaloids,  and  other  agents  which  do  not  irritate  and  inflame  the 
tissue,  are  used. 

Injection  into  VeiTis. — The  principal  object  in  view  in  resorting 
to  this  op^^ration  would  be  to  try  the  effect  of  injeeting  a'-  >ut  a 


286  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

pint  or  a  quart  of  water,  at  100°  Fahrenheit,  after  abstracting  a  i 
ilar  quantity  of  blood  from  one  of  the  j  ugular  veins.  The  operation 
should  be  tried  in  the  early  stage  of  the  disease,  and  the  result 
usually  observed  is  purgation,  action  of  the  kidneys,  and  free  ex- 
halation from  the  skin.  The  system  might  thus  be  prepared  for 
any  further  course  of  treatment.  The  operation  is  simple,  and 
unattended  with  bad  results. 

Exteimal  Applications. — The  method  of  applying  heat,  colvl  ru- 
befacients, and  blisters  to  the  surface  of  the  skin  is  too  well  known 
to  deserve  any  lengthened  description.  Dashing  cold  water  over 
the  body,  and  then  using  towels  and  wisps  of  hay  to  dry  and  warm 
the  animal,  has  been  often  recommended.  The  vapor  bath,  by 
covering  the  animal,  head  excepted,  with  woolen  rugs,  fixed  out 
by  sticks,  etc.,  and  then  heating  the  air  between  the  rugs  and  the 
skin  by  a  spirit  or  gas-lamp,  has  been  suggested.  If  mustard 
poultices  are  used,  they  should  be  large,  warm,  and  applied  with 
a  rug  to  the  body,  so  as  to  be  kept  on  for  three  or  four  hours. 
Rugs  dipped  in  boiling  water,  »vrung  out  thoroughly,  and  applied 
to  the  abdomen,  have  been  resorted  to. 

Intenial  Remedies. — A  close  observation  of  the  treatment  adopted 
by  empirics  has  led  me  to  the  conclusion  that  no  remedy,  or  clasg 
of  remedies,  can  be  regarded  as  absolutely  efficacious  in  any  real 
case  of  rinderpest.  Some  animals  recover  despite  the  mode  of 
treatment,  but  the  majority  die.  I  shall  here  notice  some  of  the 
principal  remedial  agents  used  by  myself  and  others  under  va- 
rious heads. 

Most  veterinarians  consider  that  the  over-distended  stomachs 
and  the  marked  constipation  should  be  relieved.  From  the  fact 
that  the  omasum  is  loaded  with  dry  food,  even  in  the  later  stagijs 
of  cases  attended  by  great  diarrhea,  it  is  believed  by  some  that 
smart  and  early  purging  is  desirable.  Full  quantities  of  Epsom 
salts,  linseed  oil,  and  even  croton  oil,  have  been  given,  and  a  very 
common  result  of  drastic  cathartic  doses  is  to  induce  an  early  and 
very  fatal  diarrhea.  There  are  more  advocates  for  mild  laxatives, 
such  as  treacle,  small  and  repeated  doses  of  sulphate  of  soda,  sul- 
phur, and  oil.  I  have  treated  many  cases  successfully  without 
attempting  to  relax  the  bowels,  -iind  have  certainly  had  as  much 
success  then  as  when  either  mild  or  active  purgatives  have  been 
prescribed.  A  purgative  which  may  be  used  advantageously  is 
the  following: 


THE  CATTLE  PLAGUE.  287 

Sulphate  of  magnesia 12  o*. 

Sulphur 4  oz. 

Spirits  of  nitric  ether 1  oz. 

Niter ^  oz. 

Water 1  quart. 

As  this  is  not  apt  to  induce  much  purgation,  a  bottle  of  linseed 
oil  may  be  given  after  it.  Oil  of  turpentine,  to  the  extent  of  two 
or  four  ounces,  has  been  given  with  a  quart  bottle  of  linseed  oil, 
and  with  good  effect  when  no  other  purgative  has  been  admin- 
istered. 

I  think  that  injections  have  been  too  much  overlooked  in  the 
treatment  of  this  disease.  They  may  be  given  at  first  to  move 
the  bowels,  and  various  forms  of  medicated  or  nutritive  injections 
might  prove  of  service.  When  the  diarrhea  comes  on,  and  there 
is  some  tenesmus,  an  injection  may  be  given  of  one  pint  of  starch 
emulsion,  containing  one  ounce  of  laudanum,  to  be  repeated,  if 
necessary.  It  is  desirable  to  guard  against  irritation  of  the  rec- 
tum as  a  result  of  frequent  enemata. 

Niter  has  been  extensively  used  during  the  present  outbreak, 
and  in  considerable  doses,  with  a  view  to  aid  in  the  elimination 
of  the  virus.  It  is  apt  to  weaken,  and  must  be  prescribed  in 
moderation.  It  has  no  specific  action  of  value.  Oil  of  turpen- 
tine, which  is  a  stimulant  as  well  as  diuretic,  has  been  strongly 
recommended  by  some,  in  ounce  and  two  ounce  doses. 

Warm  clothing,  the  application  oi  heat  to  the  skin  by  means 
Df  heating  the  air,  confined  with  woolen  covers  arranged  round 
the  animal,  and  the  internal  use  of  liquor  ammoniac  acetatis,  oil 
of  turpentine,  and  other  agents  calculated  to  excite  perspiration, 
have  been  most  strongly  advocated.  I  undoubtedly  prefer  to  ex- 
cite the  action  of  the  skin  by  raising  the  temperature  of  the  air 
rather  than  by  the  employment  of  internal  remedies,  which  often 
act  feebly  and  very  imperfectly  on  the  lower  animals. 

Stimulants  have  had  their  strong  advocates.  I  have  given 
rt'hisky,  brandy,  spirits  of  wine,  in  two  ounce  doses,  every  two  or 
tlree  hours,  and  some  animals  have  recovered  while  others  have 
died.  Carbonate  of  ammonia,  in  half  ounce  doses,  has  been  largely 
employed,  and  seems  to  agree  as  well  as  any  thing  with  the  sick 
animals.  Strong  ale,  porter,  port  wine,  and  other  more  or  less 
active  beverages  containing  alcohol,  have  been  principally  used 
when  animals  have  been  convalescent. 

I  have  not  resorted  to  sedatives  to  any  great  extent  in  thig 


288  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

malady.  Tincture  of  aconite,  in  thirty-drop  doses,  has  been  ad- 
ministered at  frequent  intervals.  Extract  of  belladonna  ana 
considerable  dcses  of  opium  have  been  chosen  from  among  nar- 
cotic remedies  as  affording  the  best  chance  of  regulating,  at  dif- 
ferent times,  the  condition  of  the  bowels. 

Nitrate  of  potash,  chlorate  of  potash,  and  acetate  of  ammonia, 
have  been  freely  administered,  and,  in  some  cases,  with  apparently 
good  effect.  These  agents  are  almost  exclusively  relied  on  in 
certain  febrile  disorders  from  their  action  on  the  blood,  and  the 
favorable  effects  they  induce  in  activating  the  secretion  of  the 
skin,  kidneys,  and  mucous  membranes  generally.  They  are  ad- 
ministered singly  or  combined,  in  moderate  and  repeated  doses^ 
with  or  without  carbonate  of  ammonia,  and  dissolved  in  a  consid- 
erable quantity  of  water. 

Mineral  and  vegetable  tonics  are  used  with  benefit  in  the  con- 
valescent state,  and,  if  net  given  in  large  doses,  so  as  to  induce 
derangement  of  the  stomach  and  bowels,  they  accelerate  the  return 
to  health  in  a  very  decided  manner.  Vegetable  tonics,  such  as 
chinchona  bark  in  decoction,  or  infusion  of  gentian,  are  given  about 
an  hour  before  feeding-time,  and  serve  tc  stimulate  the  appetite. 
Of  all  the  mineral  tonics,  sulphate  of  iron  is  the  best,  and  should 
be  given  in  drachm  doses  in  ibod.  Preparations  of  iron  have 
been  supposed  to  act  powerfully  as  prophylactics,  and  for  this 
purpose  I  recommended  them  when  I  first  recognized  the  exist- 
ence of  the  disease  in  the  country. 

Mineral  acids  have  claimed  a  great  share  of  attention,  and  1 
nave  been  in  the  habit  of  using  ihem  freely.  Hydrochloric  acid, 
largely  diluted,  has  lately  been  vaunted  as  a  specific.  Sulphuric 
acid  has  been  more  frequently  used.  Xitromuriatic  acid  is  ser- 
viceable in  the  convalescent  stage. 

Methods  of  treatment  may  be  classified  under  two  heads — Pre- 
ventive and  Curative  Treatment. 

Preventive  Treatment. — A  somewhat  rational  plan,  recommended 
from  the  commencement,  was  the  daily  administration  of  tonics, 
in  addition  to  proper  feeding,  ventilation,  and  use  of  disinfectants, 
Iron  has  proved  so  useful  in  my  own  practice  during  outbreak?^ 
of  contagious  diseases,  that,  in  a  circular  entitled  "Advice  tc 
Owners  of  Cattle,"  dated  the  3d  of  August,  I  said :  "  The  ad- 
ministration of  tonics  in  moderation,  and  especially  preparation* 
cf  iron,  may  be  recommended  for  all  cattle  that  have  been  pcci 


THE  CATTLE  ^LAGUE.  281:» 

den. ally  subjected  to  the  contact  of  infected  animals.  All  iihould 
be  done  to  support  the  animal's  strength,  that  it  may  withstand 
the  disorder."  Shortly  afterward,  the  British  Consul  at  Warsaw 
brought  to  the  notice  of  the  British  Government,  in  the  month  of 
August,  a  remedy  for  the  rinderpest,  adopted  with  much  success 
in  Poland,  in  1857:  "The  putting  of  okl  iron  into  the  troughs 
from  which  the  cattle  drink,  so  as  to  produce  a  highly  chalybeate 
water.  The  efficacy  of  this  mode  of  treatment  is  said  to  have 
been  discovered  by  the  almost  entire  immunity  from  the  disease, 
in  1857,  of  the  cattle  on  a  farm  where  there  was  a  chalybeate 
spring."  An  observer  recommends  a  plentiful  supply  of  bruised 
oak  bark  as  a  great  preserver,  and  fresh-powdered  carbonate  of 
ammonia,  dissolved  in  about  the  proportion  of  a  tea-spoonful  to  a 
quart  of  the  water  supplied  to  the  cattle,  to  keep  their  blood  pure 
and  in  a  state  to  resist  infection.  Sulphurous  acid  and  its  salts 
have  been  strongly  advocated,  and  Dr.  Detjitt,  Dr.  Smart,  Dr. 
Wilkinson,  and  others,  have  recommended  daily  doses  of  hypo- 
sulphite of  soda  to  healthy  cattle  in  infected  districts.  The  use 
of  vinegar  has  also  been  suggested.  Two  calves  were  placed 
among  a  number  of  diseased  cows,  and  had  a  wine-glassful  of 
vinegar  in  a  pint  of  water  twice  a  day ;  they  also  had  their  eyes 
and  nostrils  sponged  with  the  same  mixture,  with  complete  suc- 
cess. Tar- water,  made  of  the  best  Barbadoes  tar  and  capsicum, 
was  also  suggested.  Hot  tar  was  to  be  painted  on  the  cribs  and 
mangers,  and  a  little  tar  was  to  be  smeared  on  each  nostril,  and 
upon  every  foot,  and  between  each  hoof. 

Curative  Treatment. — It  is  difficult  to  classify  the  many  extra- 
ordinary methods  of  treatment  suggested  since  the  1st  of  August 
last  for  the  treatment  of  steppe  murrain.  Advocates  of  hot-air 
and  vapor  baths  have  been  very  positive  in  their  statements,  some, 
like  Mr.  R.  Monteith,  insisting  on  the  value  of  the  first,  and 
others  asserting  their  firm  belief  in  the  second,  especially  in  com- 
b:nation  with  other  remedies.  The  vapor  bath  is  an  old  method 
of  treatment,  said  to  originate  with  the  celebrated  Thaee,  the 
father  of  scientific  agriculture  in  Germany,  who  is  reported  to 
have  applied  it  with  signal  success  during  the  murrain  year  of 
1828.  A  large  copper  kettle  is  sunk  in  the  earth  and  filled  with 
water.  A  strong  fire  is  then  kindled  underneath  the  kettle,  over 
which  perforated  boards  have  been  laid.  When  the  water  boils, 
♦.he  sick  animal  is  placed  on  the  boards  and  covered  with  a  woolen 
19 


>90 


DAL>DS  VETEllINARY  MEDICINL  AND  SURGERY. 


clotli^  and  a  linen  one  above  it.  The  animal  is  kept  there  from 
half  to  one  hour,  then  rubbed  dry,  kept  warm,  and  allowed  hay 
and  gruel.  Great  attention  was  paid  to  this  method  of  treatmeni 
by  a  Russian  farmer,  who  explained  it,  in  a  letter  to  our  Ambas- 
sador at  the  Court  of  the  Czar,  Sir  A.  Buchanan,  which  was 
forwarded  in  a  dispatch  to  Earl  Russell,  on  the  3d  of  October, 
1865.  Mr.  Feuling,  the  gentleman  in  question,  spoke  confi- 
dently of  the  value  of  the  vapor  bath  ;  and  the  faith  in  the  remedy 
increased  when  Mr.  Graham,  of  Capellie,  near  Glasgow,  detailed 
recoveries  under  the  following  system.  Mr.  Graham  adminis- 
tered 

Sulphur 3  table-spoonfuls. 

Niter 3  table-spoonfuls. 

Gringer ^  table-spoonful. 

Treacle 1  pound. 

In  warm  water. 

The  animal  was  to  be  packed  in  three  heavy  horse-rugs,  well 
saturated  with  cold  water,  and  three  other  rugs  were  wrapped 
over  them.  In  a  letter  to  Sir  Fitzroy  Kelly,  Dr.  Druitt 
enters  somewhat  fully  into  the  kind  of  remedies  which  may  be 
found  serviceable  in  the  treatment  of  the  plague,  and  his  observa- 
tions are  condensed  in  the  subjoined  note : 

"  In  any  zymotic  disease,  the  first  question  is,  Can  we  stoj)  it ' 
Can  we  put  out  the  fire?  Have  we  any  medicines  capable  of 
summarily  checking  the  disease  before  it  comes  to  the  point  at 
which  it  is  naturally  spent?  We  wish  we  had,  but  have  not. 
Providence  will  show  us  the  way  some  day,  if  we  exert  ourselves ; 
but  at  present  the  only  fevers  which  we  can  cut  short  are  the  ma- 
larious ones — ague,  remittent,  jungle  fevers,  etc. — against  which  we 
have  quinine,  arsenic,  and  other  tonics.  We  have  not  at  present 
any  remedies  on  which  we  can  rely  for  cutting  short  any  true 
zymotic  disease,  such  as  small-pox,  chicken-pox,  measles,  scarlet 
fever,  typhoid,  typhus,  whooping-cough,  and  all  that  other  dreary 
catalogue ;  but  if  we  are  to  make  experiments  on  the  rinderpest, 
there  are  two  or  three  glimmers  of  light  to  guide  us.  Supposing 
that  we  seek  for  remedies  for  the  early  stage.  To  cut  the  disease 
short,  deliberate  trials  should  be  made — first,  into  the  various 
alkaloids,  amorphous  or  crystallized  produced  from  chinchona 
bark,  of  which  quinine  is  the  chief.  But  there  are  many  others, 
such  as  chinchonine,  chinchonidine,  and  quinidijie,  whicli  are  gfot 


THE  CATTLE  PLAGUE.  291 

from  the  bark,  which  may  now,  or  will  soon  be,  obtained  abun- 
dantly in  India,  and  which  are  cheaper.  We  have  just  as  much 
reason,  and  no  more,  to  expect  these  substances  to  cure  the  cattle 
plague  as  the  Spanish  pilgrims  had,  three  centuries  ago,  to  exject 
the  bark  to  cure  the  Countess  of  Chinchon's  ague.  It  was  a  fair 
experiment,  which  succeeded.  Certainly,  large  doses  of  these  al- 
kaloids ought  to  be  well  tried.  If  we  give  six  doses,  of  ten  grains 
nach,  to  a  man  weighing  one  hundred  and  sixty  pounds,  we  ought 
to  give  in  the  same  proportion  per  weight  to  a  cow.  Secondly, 
there  are  various  combinations  of  bitters,  astringents,  and  aro- 
matics,  with  stimulants.  When  they  could  get  no  Peruvian  bark 
on  the  continent,  during  the  war  with  France,  combinations  of 
alum,  oak  bark,  gentian,  and  aromatics  were  used,  with  more  oi 
less  success,  for  their  malarious  fevers.  Thirdly,  there  are  certain 
saline  matters,  such  as  nitrate  of  potass  and  chlorate  of  potass, 
antimony,  purgatives,  etc.,  which  have  more  or  less  virtue  in  al- 
laying some  feverish  symptoms,  but  which  are  not  to  be  relied  on 
in  any  zymotic  or  malarious  disease.  Lastly,  there  are  stimulants 
which  may  be  tried  in  the  commencement  of  the  attack  with  the 
hope  of  enabling  the  animal  to  shake  off  the  disease,  even  as  a 
glass  of  hot  brandy-and-water,  Turkish  bath,  and  other  excitants, 
may,  as  I  believe,  enable  man  to  shake  off  the  earliest  stage  of 
influenza.  So  far,  then,  as  remedies  are  concerned  which  tend  to 
cut  the  disease  short,  experience  bids  us  look  for  specifics  among 
the  quinine  group.  And  it  is  experience  only  that  can  teach  us. 
]3ut,  confessing  that  we  are  unable  to  deal  with  the  disease  in  its 
essence,  there  is  a  very  great  deal  we  can  do  in  the  way  of  miti- 
gating its  local  effects — of  keeping  up  the  strength,  of  preventing 
the  patient  being  poisoned  by  the  poisonous  secretions  generated 
within  her  own  system ;  of  checking  exhausting  discharges ;  and 
of  rendering  those  secretions  innoxious  to  other  animals.  It 
must,  however,  be  borne  in  mind  that  while  we  speak  of  the 
different  stages  of  the  disease,  and  can  always  stiparate  them  in 
idea,  they  may  be  all  so  crowded  together  that  it  may  be  necessary 
to  begin  at  the  very  outset  with  the  treatment  adapted  for  pre- 
venting local  ravages  and  intestinal  infection.  Now,  the  chief 
local  effects  produced  by  the  rinderpest  are  a  softened,  congested 
state  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  alimentary  canal,  with  copi- 
ous fetid  discharge  from  the  bowels ;  and  the  most  likely  class  of 
remedies  are  those  which  will  restrain  this  discharge,  and  so  pre- 


292  •  DALDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

vent  it  from  draining  the  patient,  and  which  shall  deprive  it  of 
its  poisonous  qualities,  and  thus  hinder  it  from  doing  mischief  to 
the  patient,  or,  if  voided,  from  contaminating  other  animals.  If 
putrid  excretions  be  poured  out  in  the  bowels  of  any  animal,  they 
poison  the  animal's  blood,  cause  all  fresh  food  to  be  tainted, 
and,  when  voided,  they  are  the  source  of  contagion  to  others. 
Now,  then,  we  seek  a  remedy  which  shall  not  be  poisonous  in 
itself,  which  shall  have  tonic  or  nutritive  virtues,  which  shall 
restrain  excessive  discharges,  and  which  shall  have  the  power  of 
deodorizing  and  disinfecting  the  contents  of  the  alimentary  canal. 
Such  a  remedy  is  the  tincture  of  sesquichloride  of  iron.  The 
mineral  acids,  well  diluted — as  the  nitric,  muriatic,  and  sul- 
phuric— do  in  a  lesser  degree  what  the  tincture  of  steel  does. 
Their  influence  in  atonic  diarrhea  is  marvelous;  and  we  ought 
to  know  their  results  in  the  rinderpest.  Small  quantities  of 
opium  may  be  added.  The  trisnitrate  of  bismuth,  in  ounce  doses, 
would  deodorize  the  alimentary  canal,  and  soothe  it  and  restrain 
diarrhea.  I  have  published  cases  showing  how,  in  threatened 
ulceration  of  the  bowels,  the  human  alimentary  canal  may  be 
quieted  by  adequate  doses  of  this  excellent  drug.  Sulphate  of 
potass,  and  other  compounds  of  sulphurous  acid,  have  great  virtue 
in  checking  fermentation,  and  have  been  proposed  by  Polli  afi 
remedies  in  zymotic  fevers.  We  want  experiments  with  large 
doses  of  these.  But  I  suspect  they  are  of  more  value  as  prevent- 
ives than  as  curatives — to  disinfect  unwholesome  water,  to  rinse 
the  mouths  of  animals  exposed  to  contagion,  and  the  like.  There 
is  the  class  of  creosotes — medicines,  such  as  carbolic  acid,  which 
check  fermentation,  act  as  antiseptics  and  deodorizers,  and  are 
capital  in  certain  cases  of  dyspepsia  and  diarrhea.  Here,  then, 
we  have  half-a-dozen  remedies,  and  the  example  I  have  given 
from  practice  on  man  shows  the  precise  method  in  which  good 
results  are  to  be  looked  for.  I  reiterate  again  the  necessity  of 
disinfecting  the  whole  tract  of  bowels,  of  restraining  discharge, 
and  of  rendering  the  fecal  matter  innoxious  to  the  patient  and 
her  neighbors — all  this,  too,  as  a  means  of  helping  the  patient  to 
live  through  her  disease  till  its  fury  be  overpast.  Whisky,  sweet 
spirits  of  niter,  beef-tea,  and  other  nourishment,  should  be  given 
freely.  There  are  other  remedies,  too,  as  yeast,  in  large  quantities, 
whose  modus  operandi  is  probably  that  of  an  antiseptic,  and  others. 
Enough  if  I  can  succeed  in  inducing  any  one,  who  can  do  so  with 


THE  CATTLE  PLAGUE.  293 

safety,  to  make  a  resolute  series  of  experiments  on  diseased  ani- 
mals."    A  veterinary  chemist  recommends : 

Chlorate  of  potash 1     oz. 

Nitrate  of  potash 1     oz. 

Strong  muriatic  acid 1     dr. 

Powdered  opium 1     dr. 

Decoction  of  linseed 1^  pints. 

Mix  together  for  one  dose. 

This^  it  is  said,  "  can  not  fail  to  alleviate  the  trouble,  if  not 
entirely  ward  oiF  the  disease,  if  given  on  the  first  symptoms,  and 
followed  up  three  times  a  day." 

The  following  prescription  has  also  been  recommended : 

Chlorate  of  potash '\ 

Common  salt v  Each  1  oz. 

Niter ) 

Dissolve  them  in  a  pint  of  hot  water,  in  which  an  ounce  of 
dilute  hydrochloric  acid  has  been  mixed,  and  administer  in  a  suf- 
ficient quantity  of  their  gruel  for  a  dose.  Mr.  Moffat's  pre- 
scription consists  of 

Chlorate  of  potash 3  dr. 

Tartar  emetic 5  gr. 

Carbonate  of  iron 15  gr. 

Mr.  Crotch,  M.  A.,  recommended  the  injection  of  various  an- 
ti sceptic  and  parasiticide  salts  into  the  circulation  of  the  veins,  and 
the  hyposulphite  of  soda,  the  permanganate  of  potash,  or  the  per- 
chlorate  of  soda  \re  said  to  be  well  adapted  to  this  purpose.  Dr. 
Oahr  speaks  of  u  dozen  cows  cured  "  by  removing  the  diseased 
cattle  from  the  shod  and  tethering  them  in  a  shaded  spot  in  the 
field,  administering  v/arm  drinks  of  gruel  or  linseed  tea,  with  aro- 
matic seeds  (fennel  or  caraway),  an  astringent,  if  diarrhea  be 
urgent,  and  blistering  the  throat.  The  mouth  is  frequently  waslied 
with  strong  vinegar  and  water ;  and  vinegar  is  also  administered 
to  the  extent  of  a  pint  or  more  daily." 

Dr.  Smart's  method  of  treatment  has  been  described  by  him- 
self as  follows : 

'' General  Principles  of  Treatment. — These  are  based  upon  a 
knowledge  of  the  pathology  of  the  disease,  and  i-ndicate  the  linn 
of  treatment  to  be  adopted  in  dealing  with  it. 

.1.  The  Animal  Temperature  is  Lowered  and  Deficient. — This  has 
to  be  restored  and  maintained.     To  do  so  the  affected  animal  \fi 


'294  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  .»ND  SURGERY. 

prottcted  from  all  direct  draughts  of  air,  placed  in  a  house  or  byre 
with  an  equable  temperature  not  under  70°  Fahrenheit,  and  the 
hide  thoroughly  cleaned  and  rubbed  down,  and  a  warm  covering 
kept  on  the  animal  throughout  the  progress  of  the  case. 

2.  The  Stomachs  are  Loaded  and  Distended  vnth  Food. — This 
condition,  by  preventing  access  of  medicine  and  suitable  nourish 
ment,  presents  a  very  great  obstacle  to  treatment.  But  it  als<.» 
indicates  the  line  of  treatment  to  be  adopted  at  this  stage ;  namely, 
to  remove  the  hurtful  accumulation  as  quickly  as  possible.  This 
must  be  done  by  mild  purgation,  suited  to  the  already  irritable 
condition  of  the  lining  membrane  of  the  stomach  and  bowels. 
The  medicines  here  indicated  are  gentle  relaxants,  combined  with 
diuretic  action. 

3.  Extreme  Vital  Depression  is  characteristic  of  the  Disease 
throughout  its  entire  Progress. — This  is  conjoined  with  a  very 
peculiar  and  rapidly-destructive  change  of  some  of  the  interna.! 
structures.  Stimulants  to  support  the  depressed  vital  powers,  and 
resist,  as  far  as  possible,  this  tendency  to  destructive  dissolution, 
are  thus  clearly  indicated  from  the  very  commencement.  And  as 
it  is  of  importance  to  make  the  healthy  organs  subserve  the  pur- 
pose of  removing  from  the  blood  the  morbid  materials  that  may 
exist  in  it  and  in  the  general  system,  stimulant  treatment  should 
conjoin  with  it  remedies  fitted  to  excite  the  functional  activity  of 
the  two  great  eliminators  of  this  class ;  namely,  the  skin  and  kid- 
neys. Hence  stimulant,  diaphoretic,  and  diuretic  action  are  here 
indicated.  Regular  milking  of  the  diseased  cow,  in  order  to  pre- 
vent the  retention  in  the  blood  of  the  elements  of  the  milk,  is> 
also,  on  the  same  general  principles,  clearly  indicated  throughout 
the  entire  course  of  the  disease. 

4.  It  almost  appears  an  axiom  to  say  that  a  properly-regulated 
and  rational  system  of  nursing  is  in  the  treatment  of  disease  in 
cattle,  as  in  man,  of  very  great  importance  to  the  comfort  of  the 
sick,  and  as  an  aid  to  their  recovery.  In  the  present  example,  no 
method  of  combating  the  malady  can  be  of  any  use  in  which  care- 
ful nursing  does  not  form  the  basis  of  every  other  effort  to  restore 
health.  It  is  not  idle  to  repeat  this,  because,  in  any  system  oi 
treatment  hitherto  made  public,  the  importance  of  this  fact  ha/» 
either  been  insufficiently  recognized  or  entirely  overlooked.  Hence 
arises)  the  necessity  of  there  being  kind,  skillful,  and  experienced 
attendants,  and  a  well-regulated  dietary. 


THE  CATTLE  PLAGDE. 

h*:medie». — These  are  few,  simple,  and  selected  on  the  principles 
febove  stated.  My  experience  of  their  suitableness  is  every  day 
more  established  by  fresh  examples  of  their  efficacy.  There  are 
yet  only  three  kinds  of  drugs  which  I  found  it  requiiite  to  em 
ploy.  1.  Laxative,  with  diuretic  action.  This  is  principally 
used  in  the  early,  but  often  required  at  other  periods,  in  the  prog 
ress  of  the  disease.     It  is  composed  of 

Nitrate  of  potash  )        , 

Powdered  ginger  p^'^ ^  o^- 

Powder  of  sublimed  sulphur 2  oz. 

Treacle 1  lb. 

Water  to  make  a  quart,  and  well  mixed. 

This  quantity  is  given  night  and  morning,  or,  if  requisite,  oft- 
ener,  until  scouring  is  produced.  Afterward,  an  occasional  bottle 
will  maintain  the  free  movement  of  the  bowels,  without  inducing 
excessive  action.  As  the  vital  powers  sink  rapidly,  there  should 
be  as  little  delay  as  possible  in  administering  stimulants.  I  have 
found  the  following  mixture  possessing  stimulant,  diuretic,  and 
diaphoretic  properties,  very  efficacious: 

Carbonate  of  ammonia f  oz. 

Sweet  spirit  of  niter )        ,  , , 

Spirit  of  mindereris  |  '^"^ H  oz- 

Cold  water 9    oz. 

Mix. 

This  dose,  from  the  commencement  of  treatment,  is  adminis- 
tered thrice  a  day  during  the  entire  course  of  the  disease.  When 
prostration  is  great,  it  is  sometimes  needful  to  give  it  from  the 
commencement,  and  to  combine  it  with  any  other  medicine  that 
may  be  given.  In  such  cases,  the  doses  may  be  reduced  one-third. 
When  convalescence  is  fully  established,  a  simple  tonic  hastei.8 
recovery.  I  find  none  so  good  and  safe  as  chinchona  bark.  The 
best  quality  only  should  be  used,  and  given  in  doses  of  one  ounce 
and  a  half  of  the  powder.  This  tonic,  in  the  early  period  of  con- 
valescence, is  combined  with  the  stimulant,  and  at  a  later  period 
with  a  quart  of  good,  sweet  ale,  given  once  daily.  It  is  best  ad- 
ministered at  night.  Two  table-spoonfuls  of  laudanum  may  be 
added  at  any  time  to  any  other  medicine  which  the  animal  i.s  get- 
ting, or  given  in  the  food  when  it  becomes  requisite  to  control  ex- 
cessive diarrhea,  or  obviate  straining.  With  this  exception,  there 
are  at  present  no  other  drugs  employed. 

Did^ — It  should  be  simple,  and,  until  df/'ided  convalescence, 


296  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

weR  cooked,  and  given  in  small  and  regulated  quantity.     I  usft 
the  following  full  mash.     It  is  composed  of, 

Bran c .  4  handfuls. 

Brewer's  drafif 4  handfuls. 

Peasemeal 1  pound. 

Mashed  turnips  (well  boiled) ...  2  pounds. 

Not  too  thick,  and  given  night  and  morning.  At  midday  a 
drink  of  gruel  is  given,  made  with  two  pounds  of  oatmeal,  well 
boiled  in  six  quarts  of  water.  In  addition  to  these,  some  raw  tur- 
nip (two  pounds,  for  example,  of  greentops),  and  one  pound  of 
hay,  may  be  allowed  in  small  quantities  during  the  twenty-four 
hours.  To  allay  thirst,  three  to  four  quarts  of  water,  previously 
boiled  and  allowed  to  cool,  is  given  in  mouthfuls  during  the  day. 
This  constitutes  the  full  diet  of  a  decided  convalescent.  Half  of 
this  diet  is,  in  most  instances,  during  the  acute  course  of  the  dis- 
ease, too  much.  In  all  cases,  the  same  kind  of  food  and  periods 
of  giving  it  are  followed.  There  are  some  animals  that,  for  a 
time,  refuse  all  food,  not  excepting  gruel.  In  such  cases  the  gruel 
is  administered  by  the  bottle,  thrice  daily,  along  with  or  after  the 
medicine.  The  animal  should  get  a  little  mash  so  soon  as  it  takes 
it  voluntarily.  It  is  often  expedient  to  miss  a  meal,  especially 
whenever  symptoms  of  an  unfavorable  indication  appear.  These 
are  not  of  unfrequent  occurrence  during  the  course  of  treatment. 
Grass  is  given,  and  the  quantity  of  hay  and  turnip  increased  as 
there  is  progress  toward  more  perfect  recovery. 

Symptoms  of  Convalescence. — The  more  obvious  indications  are, 
1.  Recovery  of  appetite;  2.  Greater  animation;  3.  Eeturn  of 
breathing  and  pulse  to  their  normal  condition;  4.  Increase  of 
milk;  5.  Chewing  the  cud.  The  seventh,  fourteenth,  and  twenty- 
first  days  are  critical  periods  in  the  progress  of  the  disease. 

Summary  of  Treatment. — 1.  The  animal  is  at  once  taken  from 
its  ordinary  food  and  separated  from  the  rest.  2.  Placed  in  a 
well-aired  byre,  or  house,  free  from  draughts,  and  the  temper- 
ature of  which  is  maintained  at  70°  or  75°  Fahrenheit.  3.  It  is 
to  be  well  rubbed  down,  and  thoroughly  cleaned,  and  covered 
with  a  good  rug.  4.  If  there  be  constipation,  begin  with  laxative, 
and  continue  night  and  morning,  or,  if  required,  oftener,  until 
there  is  free  scouring.  5.  Let  there  be  no  delay  in  giving  the 
stirtulant,  and,  if  needful,  combine  it  with  the  laxative.  6.  Defer 
giving  ale  anif  bark  until  convalescence  appears.     7.  To  obviate 


THE  CATTLE  PLAGUE.  297 

feaaining  or  excessive  purging,  two  table-spoonfuls  of  laudanum, 
night  and  morning,  may  be  added  to  other  medicine.  8.  Be  care- 
ful to  avoid  overfeeding,  as  an  error  in  diet  may  prove  fatal.  9. 
See  that  the  cow  is  well  milked,  night  and  morning,  (even  when 
i.her':^  is  no  yield,)  during  the  course  of  the  disease.  10.  All  the 
droppings  should  be  at  once  disinfected  by  solution  of  chloride 
oi  lime,  and  quickly  removed.  11.  The  affected  animals  should 
be  frequently  and  closely  obsei-ved,  and  threatening  indications 
treated  as  they  occur." 

The  Edinburgh  Committee  on  the  Cattle  Plague,  having  been 
authorized  by  the  Royal  Cattle  Plague  Commission  to  make  obser- 
vations and  experiments  in  reference  to  the  prevention  and  treat- 
ment of  the  disease,  considered  it  desirable,  in  addition  to  the 
<;xperimeuts  on  treatment  which  they  proposed  to  institute  them- 
selves, to  obtain  a  record  of  observations  and  experiments  made 
by  as  large  a  number  as  possible  of  qualified  veterinary  prac- 
titioners throughout  the  country.  With  this  view,  they  drew  up 
the  following  suggestions  for  methods  of  treatment  of  various 
kinds,  prophylactic  and  curative,  which  they  were  anxious  should 
be  tested  on  an  extensive  scale: 

"  The  Committee,  before  specifying  the  various  methods  of  treat- 
ment in  detail,  would  premise  a  few  general  remarks,  which  they 
consider  to  be  applicable  to  all  cases. 

First,  as  to  General  Sanitary  Measures,  Disinfection,  etc. — The 
Committee  content  themselves  with  referring  for  full  information 
on  these  matters  to  the  '  Supplement  of  the  Report  of  the  Royal 
^^attle  Plague  Commission,'  which  is  in  the  hands  of  all  veteri- 
nary inspectors. 

Secondly,  as  to  Food. — The  Committee  deem  it  desirable  to 
state  it  as  their  opinion  that,  as  a  general  rule,  at  all  stages  of  the 
disease,  and  whatever  treatment  is  used,  food  should  not  be  pressed 
on  the  affected  animal.  They  believe  that  too  much,  even  of  the 
softest  food,  is  hurtful,  the  powers  of  digestion  being  so  greatly 
impaired  by  the  disease.  During  the  earlier  stages,  they  believe 
that  the  safest  articles  of  diet  are  oatmeal  gruel,  barleymeal  gruel, 
with  linseed  tea,  hay  tea,  or  bran  tea,  and  that  little,  if  any,  ad- 
dition to  these  is  needed.  During  convalescence  it  is  also  very 
necessary  that  the  food  should  be  both  sparing  and  of  easy  diges- 
tion. The  same  diet  as  during  the  earlier  stages  may  be  con- 
tinued, with   the  addition  of  mashes  of  well-boiled  turnips  or 


298  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERT. 

larrots,  but  in  moderate  quantity.  When  rumination  comnieucea 
10  be  reestablished,  a  handful  of  sound  hay,  damped  wit^  -alt  and 
water,  may  then  be  given  in  addition. 

Thirdly,  as  to  the  Maintenance  of  the  Heat  of  the  Ai.imal. — 
The  tendency  to  chill  of  the  surface  is  a  marked  feature  of  the 
disease,  and  it  is  very  essential  that  the  animal  should  be  guarded 
against  cold.  The  byre  .should  be  kept  heated  up  to  a  temper- 
ature of  sixty-five  degrees.  The  animal  should  be  thoroughly 
rubbed  down  from  time  to  time,  and  be  kept  covered  with  an 
ample,  clean  rug,  fastened  on  with  a  roller,  or  band  of  any  kind. 

Fourthly,  as  to  the  State  of  the  Botvels. — In  the  early  stages 
they  are  apt  to  be  constipated.  To  remove  this  condition  mild 
laxatives  may  be  required,  but  strong  purgatives  of  all  kinds  are 
both  unnecessary  and  unsafe.  The  best  laxatives  are  either  raw 
linseed  oil,  in  the  dose  of  a  chopin-bottleful  (an  English  quart) » 
or  from  two  to  three  ounces  of  flowers  of  sulphur,  mixed  up  witlt 
two  pounds  by  weight  of  treacle  and  two  chopin-bottlefuls  oi' 
water.  These  doses  may  be  repeated  cautiously,  according  to  cir- 
cumstances. Sometimes  even  in  the  early  stages,  but  more  fre- 
quently when  the  disease  has  continued  for  some  days,  diarrhea 
or  scouring  is  apt  to  come  on,  and  to  prove  irritating  and  ex- 
hausting to  the  animal.  The  simplest  and  best  treatment  for  this 
symptom  is  one  ounce  of  laudanum,  mixed  with  a  chopin-bottleful 
of  lime-water,  repeated  twice  or  even  thrice  a  day  if  necessary. 

Having  thus  premised  these  general  recommendations,  the  Com- 
mittee proceed  to  state,  in  detail,  particular  methods  of  treatment, 
classified  under  the  heads  of 

A.  Diaphoretic  and  Stimulant  Treatment. 

B.  Acid  Treatment. 

C.  Restorative  Treatment  without  Drugs. 

D.  Prophylactic  Treatment. 

A.  Diaphoretic  and  Stimulant. — The  Committee  are  anxious  to 
give  a  full  trial  to  the  method  of  exciting  sweating  by  means  of  the 
vapor  bath.  The -method  of  using  this  agent  is  as  follows:  The 
animal  is  to  be  placed  in  a  stall  inclosed  on  all  sides,  the  height 
of  the  inclosure  being  a  few  inches  more  than  that  of  the  animal. 
Over  the  top  of  the  box  or  inclosure  thus  formed  is  thrown  a 
tarpaulin,  which  should  cover  it  completely,  with  the  exc^r^iott 


THE  CATTLE  PLAGUE.  299 

fLat  an  opening  is  left  in  it  sufficient  for  the  animal's  head  to  pass 
through.  There  is  then  to  be  placed  on  the  floor  of  the  inolosure, 
under  the  animal,  a  tub  containing  boiling  water,  to  the  depth  of 
half  a  foot.  A  continuous  evolution  of  steam  is  to  be  maintained 
for  half  an  hour  by  means  of  red-hot  bricks  thrown  into  the  tub 
one  after  another.  Under  the  use  of  this  steam  bath,  if  prcperiy 
managed,  the  animal  may  be  expected,  to  become  warm  and  to 
perspire  profusely.  After  each  vapor  bath  the  animal  should  be 
washed  with  tepid  water  containing  McDougall's  disinfecting  soap, 
taking  care  to  dry  it  well  after  the  washing.  It  should  then  be 
covered  with  an  ample  rug,  kept,  as  already  stated,  closely  applied 
to  its  body  by  means  of  a  roller,  or  band  of  any  kind.  The  bath 
may  be  repeated  either  on  the  same  day  or  following  days,  accord- 
ing to  circumstances.  During  and  after  the  bath  the  animal  should 
be  allowed  a  draught  of  cold  water,  which  helps  to  promote  per- 
spiration. The  objects  chiefly  aimed  at  by  the  use  of  the  vapor 
bath  are  to  promote  the  circulation  at  the  surface,  to  relieve  the 
congestion  of  the  mucous  membranes,  and  to  eliminate  the  poison 
from  the  system.  Combined  with  the  vapor  bath  may  be  used 
various  other  remedies  not  incompatible  with  it,  but  calculated  to 
aid  its  action. 

Several  of  these  remedies  the  Committee  now  proceed  to  men- 
tion, it  being,  however,  understood  that  only  one  of  them  is  to  be 
used  along  with  the  bath  in  each  case  where  the  experiment  ia 
made;  they  are  not  to  be  used  together  in  the  same  case.  1.  Oil 
of  turpentine.  This  may  be  administered  in  doses  of  four  table- 
spoonfuls,  well  shaken  up  with  a  chopin-bottleful  of  gruel,  and 
may  be  given  twice  a  day.  This  remedy  may  be  expected  to  act 
beneficially  by  its  powers  of  stimulating  and  of  exciting  perspira- 
tion. It  may  probably,  also,  in  most  cases  where  it  is  usfd,  super- 
sede the  necessity  for  giving  any  laxative  medicine.  2.  Infusion 
of  coffee.  The  method  of  preparing  this  remedy  is  by  infusing 
two  ounces  of  ground  roasted  coffee,  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  in 
a  chopin-bottleful  of  boiling  water.  It  must,  of  course,  br  allowed 
to  cool  somewhat  before  being  administered,  and  may  be  given  in 
the  above  quantity  every  six  hooirs.  In  addition  to  its  stimulant 
and  nutritive  qualities,  the  coffee  may  act  beneficially  in  conse- 
quence of  the  empyreumatic  oil  and  caseine  which  it  contains. 
3.  Carbonate  of  ammonia.  This  medicine,  which  has  been  found 
Id  many  cases  to  act  beneficially  as  a  powerful  diffusible  stimulant^ 


800  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY 

may  be  administered  three  times  a  day,  in  doses  of  half  an  ounce, 
either  alone  or  preferably  combined  with  three  drachms  of  niter, 
dissolved  in  a  chopin-bottleful  of  gruel. 

B.  Acid  Treatment. — This  treatment  is  suggested  in  consequence 
of  the  alkaline  state  of  the  secretions  which  is  found  to  exist  uni- 
formly in  the  cattle  plague.  1.  Diluted  muriatic  acid  is  said  to 
have  been  successful  in  Holland.  It  may  be  given  twice  a  day, 
in  doses  of  three  drachms,  mixed  with  a  chopin-bottleful  of  gruel. 
2.  Vinegar.  This  may  be  used  in  doses  of  two  ounces,  mixed  with 
a  chopin-bottleful  of  gruel,  and  may  be  given  four  times  a  day. 

C.  Restorative  Treatment  without  Drugs. — This  consists  in  car- 
rying out  in  full  the  sanitary  instructions  of  the  Royal  Cattle 
Plague  Commission:  in  regulating  the  diet  according  to  the  in- 
structions already  given,  in  keeping  the  animal  warm,  and  in 
administering  two  chopin-bottlefuls  of  good  Scotch  sweet  ale  three 
or  four  times  a  day.  It  is  desirable  that  this  system  should  be 
carried  out  in  a  certain  proportion  of  cases,  all  drugs  being  rigidly 
abstained  from. 

D.  Prophylactie  Treatment. — The  Committee  would  further  de- 
sire to  draw  attention  to  the  importance  of  experiments  being  mad^ 
as  to  the  efficacy  of  prophylactic  (protective)  treatment,  either  in 
preventing  the  development  of  the  disease  or  modifying  the  in- 
tensity of  the  symptoms  when  the  disease  becomes  developed  in 
animals  which  have  been  exposed  to  the  infection.  In  such  cases, 
of  course,  all  the  sanitary  measures  of  the  Cattle  Plague  Commis- 
sion should  be  strictly  carried  out.  There  may  also  be  given,  at 
the  earliest  possible  period,  prophylactic  drugs,  of  which  those 
most  deserving  of  trial  seem  to  be,  1.  Sulphite  of  soda,  given 
morning  and  evening,  in  doses  of  one  ounce,  dissolved  in  a  bucket- 
ful of  water.  2.  McDougall's  solution,  of  which  a  wine-glassful 
in  a  bucketful  of  water  may  be  given  twice  a  day.  3.  A  mixture 
of  half  an  ounce  of  sulphite  of  soda  and  two  table-spoonfuls  of 
McDougall's  solution,  in  a  bucketful  of  water,  may  be  given  twice 
a  day. 

Prevention  of  the  Cattle  Plague. — There  is  but  one  rational  and 
sufficient  system  whereby  the  Russian  plague  can  be  kept  in  check. 
That  is  by  preventing  direct  or  indirect  contact  between  animals 
affected  with  the  disease  and  those  that  are  sound.  All  else  la 
'valueless.  This  is  clearly  established  if  we  consider  how  and  why 
we  are  losing  the  horned  stock  of  Great  Britain. 


THE  CATTLE  PLAGUE.  301 

"We  should  have  prohibited  direct  importation  from  Riisa-a. 

We  should  have  established  foreign  stock-markets  and  slanghtor- 
houses. 

We  should  not  have  trusted  to  the  insufficient  system  of  insixjo- 
tion  at  our  ports  and  markets. 

The  disease  should  have  been  recognized  earlier. 

We  should  have  killed  the  diseased  and  infected  animals  with 
the  greatest  determination  from  the  very  first. 

The  Government  should  have  acted  promptly,  witliout  trusting 
to  the  tardy  development  of  public  opinion  and  the  hesitating 
action  of  country  magistrates,  mayors,  and  others  intrusted  with 
authority. 

Greater  reliance  should  have  been  placed  in  veterinary  surgeons, 
who,  knowing  the  disease  and  the  desperate  measures  it  required, 
could  have  saved  the  lives  of  thousands  of  valuable  animals. 

I  did  my  best  on  the  29th  and  31st  of  July,  18&5,  to  rouse  the 
Government  to  a  true  sense  of  our  position.  I  then  advocated  the 
formation  of  a  national  association  for  the  prevention  of  cattle  dis- 
eases, of  a  national  insurance  fund,  and  created  some  astonishment 
when  I  said,  on  the  1st  of  August,  that  "  the  present  calamity  will 
not  fall  on  a  class,  as  in  the  case  of  the  cotton  famine.  It  must 
affect  the  nation  throughout  its  length  and  breadth.  It  is  too  late 
now  to  avert  such  a  result,  and,  with  a  view  to  enable  us  to  cope 
with  very  extraordinary  difficulties,  there  must  be  a  general  and 
extraordinary  cooperation  among  the  people."  I  afterward  advo- 
cated the  continental  system,  and  said,  "  I  quite  agree  with  the 
Austrian  veterinarians,  that  to  cure  is,  in  this  case,  to  kill,  because 
so  long  as  sick  and  convalescent  animals  are  kept  about,  the  dan- 
ger of  propagating  the  malady  is  enormous.  Kill  by  all  means; 
and  if  you  can  compensate,  kill  all  that  have  been  near  a  contami- 
nated animal." 


SECTION  XVII. 
DISEASES    OF    SHEEP. 

iHPaovEUENT  IN  Sheep — Rot,  or  Hydatids  in  the  Liver — Yellows — Yebtioo 
OB  Giddiness — Jackets  or  Blankets  for  Sheep — Foot-rot — Grdbs  in  the 
Nostrils — Ticks — Inflammation  of  the  Eye — Inflammation  of  the  Lcnos — 
Common  Catarrh — Diarrhea  and  Dysentery — Constipation  of  the  Bow- 
els— Tympanites,  or  Windy  Distension  of  the  Intestines  and  Abdomen. 

Improvement  in  Sheep. 

NO  country  in  the  world  is  better  calculated  for  raising  sheep 
than  the  United  States.  The  diversity  of  climate,  together 
with  the  abundance  and  variety  of  the  products  of  the  soil,  united 
with  the  industry  and  perseverance  of  agriculturists,  render  this 
country  highly  favorable  for  the  breeding,  maturing,  and  improving 
the  different  varieties  of  sheep.  The  American  people,  as  a  nation, 
are  stronger  intellectually  than  any  other  on  the  face  of  God's  earth ; 
consequently  they  are  all-powerful,  "  for  the  mind  is  mightier  than 
the  sword."  Should  this  intelligent  nation  of  husbandmen  direct 
their  whole  attention  to  the  improvement  of  sheep,  then  in  a  few 
years  America  shall  outshine  her  more  favored  European  rivals, 
and  her  husbandmen  shall  feel  proud  of  their  improved  stock. 
What  the  American  people  have  accomplished  during  the  past 
half  century,  in  the  arts  and  sciences,  cultivation  of  the  soil,  etc., 
is  an  earnest  of  what  they  can  do  in  improving  the  constitution 
and  condition  of  live  stock,  provided  they  take  hold  of  the  subject 
in  good  earnest.  Let  any  one  who  is  acquainted  with  the  subject 
of  degeneration,  its  causes  and  fatal  results,  not  only  in  reference 
to  the  stock  itself,  but  as  regards  the  pocket  of  the  breeder,  care- 
fully investigate  the  subject,  and  it  will  be  perceived  that  there 
Btill  exists  a  fine  field  for  improvement.  Much  has  already  been 
accomplished  in  improving  the  different  breeds  in  America,  and 
f302) 


DISEASES  OF  SHEEP.  30b 

our  farracis  deserve  great  credit  for  their  praiseworthy  efforts  in 
endeavoring  to  raise  fine  stock,  and  I  presume  their  labors  have 
proved  remunerative. 

In  order  to  show  what  a  whole  community  of  stock-raisers  can 
accomplish,  in  view  of  improvement,  when  they  have  an  eye  single 
to  the  object,  I  here  introduce  some  of  the  results  attending  such 
an  enierprise,  conducted  by  a  single  individual — Me.  Bakewell. 

"  His  breeding  animals  were,  in  the  first  place,  selected  from 
liflerent  breeds.  These  he  crossed  with  the  best  to  be  had.  After 
the  cross  had  been  carried  to  the  desired  point,  he  confined  his  se- 
lections to  his  own  herds  or  flocks.  He  formed  in  his  mind  a 
standard  of  perfection  for  each  kind  of  animals,  and  to  this  he 
constantly  endeavored  to  bring  them.  That  he  was  eminently 
successful  in  the  attainment  of  his  object  can  not  be  denied.  He 
began  his  farming  operations  about  1750.  In  1760  his  rams  did 
not  sell  for  more  than  two  or  three  guineas  per  head.  From  this 
time  he  gradually  advanced  in  terms,  and  in  1760  he  let  some  for 
twenty-five  guineas  a  head  for  the  season.  Marshall  states  that, 
in  1786,  Bakewell  let  two-thirds  of  a  ram  (reserving  a  third  for 
himself)  to  two  breeders  for  a  hundred  guineas  each,  the  entire 
eer  *^ices  of  the  ram  being  rated  at  three  hundred  guineas  for  the 
season.  It  is  also  stated  that  he  made  that  year,  by  letting  rams, 
mere  than  one  thousand  pounds.  In  1789  he  made  twelve  hun- 
dn-d  guineas  by  three  '  ram  brothers,'  and  two  thousand  guineas 
from  seven,  and,  from  his  whole  letting,  full  three  thousand  guineas. 
Six  or  seven  other  breeders  made  from  five  hundred  guineas  to  a 
thousand  each  by  the  same  operation.  The  whole  amount  of  ram- 
h.'tting  of  Bakewell's  breed  is  said  to  have  been  not  less  that  year 
than  ten  thousand  pounds  (forty-eight  thousand  dollars). 

It  is  true  that  still  more  extraordinary  prices  were  obtained  for 
the  use  of  rams  of  this  breed  after  Mr.  Bakewell's  death.  Pitt,  in 
hi<  '  Survey  of  Leicestershire,'  mentions  that,  in  1795,  Mr.  Astlev 
gave  three  hundred  guineas  for  the  use  of  a  ram  of  this  breed,  en- 
gaging, at  the  same  time,  that  he  should  serve  gratis  twenty  ewes 
owned  by  the  man  of  whom  the  ram  was  hired,  making  for  the  en- 
tire use  of  the  ram  that  season  four  hundred  and  twenty  guineas. 
In  1796  Mr.  Astley  gave  for  the  use  of  the  same  ram  three  hundred 
guineas,  and  took  forty  ewes  to  be  served  gratis.  At  the  price' 
charged  for  the  service  of  the  ram  to  each  ewe,  the  whole  value  for 
the  season  was  five  hundred  guineas.    He  served  one  hundred  ewea. 


304  DADD'S  VETERIJNARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

In  1797  the  same  ram  was  let  to  another  person  at  three  hundred 
guineas,  and  twenty  ewes  sent  with  him.  the  serving  of  which  was 
reckoned  at  a  hundred  guineas,  and  the  ram  was  restricted  to  sixty 
more,  which  brought  his  vahie  for  the  season  to  four  hundred 
guineas.  Thus  the  ram  made,  in  three  seasons,  the  enormous  sum 
of  thirteen  hundred  guineas. 

We  have  nothing  to  do,  at  present,  with  the  question  whether 
the  value  of  these  animals  was  not  exaggerated.  The  actual  su- 
periority of  the  breed  over  the  stock  of  the  country  must  have 
been  obvious,  and  this  point  we  wish  kept  in  mind.  This  breed 
of  sheep  is  continued  to  the  present  day,  and  it  has  been  remarked, 
by  a  respected  writer,  that  they  will  '  remain  a  lasting  monument 
of  Bakewell's  skill.'  As  to  their  origin,  the  testimony  shows  thero 
to  have  been  of  mixed  breed,  though  no  breed  is  more  distinct  ia 
its  characters,  or  transmits  its  qualities  with  more  certainty ;  an^.l 
if  we  were  without  any  other  example  of  successful  crossing,  the 
advocates  of  the  system  might  still  point  triumphantly  to  the 
Leicester  or  Bakewell  sheep. 

But  what  are  the  opinions  of  our  best  modern  breeders  in  regard 
to  the  practicability  of  producing  distinct  breeds  by  crossing? 
Robert  Smith,  of  Burley,  Rutlandshire,  an  eminent  sheep-breedej, 
in  an  essay  on  the  '  Breeding  and  Management  of  Sheep,'  for  which 
he  received  a  prize  from  the  Royal  Agricultural  Society,  (1847.) 
makes  the  following  remarks :  '  The  crossing  of  pure  breeds  has 
been  a  subject  of  great  interest  among  every  class  of  breeder.^. 
While  all  agree  that  the  first  cross  may  be  attended  with  gooc 
results,  there  exists  a  diversity  of  opinion  upon  the  future  move- 
ments, or  putting  the  crosses  together.  Having  tried  experiments 
(and  I  am  now  pursuing  them  for  confirmation)  in  every  way  pos 
eible,  I  do  not  hesitate  to  express  my  opinion  that,  by  proper  and 
judicious  crossing  through  many  generations,  a  most  valuable 
breed  of  sheep  may  be  raised  and  established ;  in  support  of  which 
I  may  mention  the  career  of  the  celebrated  Bakewell,  who  raised 
a  new  variety  from  other  long-wooled  breeds,  by  dint  of  persever- 
ance and  propagation,  and  which  have  subsequently  ^jorrected  al 
other  iong-wooled  breeds.' " 


DISEASES  OF  r.HEO-.  'SOi^ 

Rot,  or  Hydatids  in  thk  Liver. 

This  parasite,  which  affects  the  liver  of  sheep,  i.«  knowr  as  the 
fluke,  (fasciola  hepaticum,)  and  is  usually  found  in  the  oiliary 
ducts.  Rot,  in  its  advanced  stage,  is  a  disease  of  a  very  formida- 
ble character,  and  its  associations  closely  resemble  dropsy.  A 
serous  fluid  accumulates  beneath  the  skin,  hence  some  people  call 
it  the  water  rot. 

Caiises. — Wet  pastures,  and  exposure  to  storms  and  changes  of 
weather,  with  innutritions  diet,  are  the  exciting  causes  of  this 
malady. 

Treatment — If  flukes  are  present,  it  is  evident  that,  in  order  to 
strike  at  the  root  of  the  malady,  we  must  get  rid  of  them,  which 
can  only  be  effected  by  bringing  about  a  healthy  condition  of  the 
system.  Nothing  that  can  be  done  by  the  application  of  medicine 
will  act  on  them  to  affect  their  vitality.  It  is  only  by  strengtnen- 
ing  the  animal  powers  that  we  are  enabled  to  give  sufficient  tone  to 
the  system  to  throw  off  the  flukes.  For  that  purpose  many  advocate 
salt.  Salt  is  an  excellent  stimulative  to  the  digestive  organs,  and 
may  also  be  of  service  in  restoring  the  biliary  secretion,  from  the 
soda  which  it  contains.  So  well  is  its  stimulative  action  known; 
that  some  individuals  always  keep  salt  in  the  troughs  containing 
animals'  food.  That  this  is  a  preventive  they  have  good  proof, 
seeing  that  it  matters  not  how  much  the  soil  might  be  in  salt 
marshes,  no  sheep  are  ever  attacked  by  rot  in  them,  while  those 
Fent  there  infected  very  often  come  back  free.  Salt,  therefore, 
must  not  be  neglected.  But  then  comes  the  question,  can  they 
not  do  something  more?  I  believe  they  can.  They  must  throw 
tonics  into  the  system,  especially  those  that  are  obtained  in  the 
mineral  kingdom.  I  should  prefer  the  sulphate  of  iron  (iron  ia 
found  in  animal  matter).  It  is  one  of  the  constituents  of  the 
blood,  and,  used  in  the  form  of  sulphate,  it  gives  a  greater  tone 
and  energy  to  the  frame  than  in  any  other  form.  Its  use,  there- 
fore, ought  never  to  be  neglected  in  the  earlier  stages  of  the  dis- 
ease. I  have  already  alluded  to  the  fact  that,  when  the  liver  does 
not  perform  its  functions,  a  greater  effort  is  made  by  the  kidneys 
to  depurate  the  blood.  The  kidneys  should,  therefore,  be  stimu- 
lated. But  I  must  not  be  supposed  to  advise  the  exhibition  of 
diuretics,  which  would  induce  debility,  but  of  medicines,  which 
would  give  strength  to  the  frame,  and,  at  the  same  time,  act  on 


8Ct  DADD'S  VETERINAhi   MEL/ICINL  ANL  SURGERl. 

the  kidneys,  for  which  purpose  nitric  ether  is  an  agent  which 
ought  to  be  employed.  The  principles  I  wish  to  lay  down  are, 
to  husband  the  animals'  powers  by  placing  them  in  a  situation 
where  they  shall  not  be  exposed  to  the  debilitating  effects  of  cold 
Btorras ;  to  supply  them  with  nutritious  food,  and  such  as  contains 
but  a  small  quantity  of  water;  and  to  mix  salt  with  the  water ; 
and  likewise  to  administer  sulphate  of  iron,  and  occasional  dosec 
of  nitric  ether.* 

Yellows. 

This  term  is  used  by  shepherds  to  designate  disease  of  the  liver. 

Symptoms. — The  affected  animal  has  a  peculiar  languid  appear- 
ance, frequently  shaking  the  head,  as  if  parasites  were  in  the  nos- 
trils ;  the  head  is  pressed  against  any  elevated  ground,  sometimes 
against  the  fence  or  a  post;  the  animal  moves  lazily  along,  with 
its  nose  almost  touching  the  ground ;  the  membranes  of  the  eyes 
and  nose  have  a  yellow  tinge;  the  same  is  true  of  the  skin;  a 
marked  yellowness  is  observed  on  the  insides  of  the  thighs  and 
anus.  As  the  disease  advances  these  morbid  appearances  are  aug- 
mented. The  patient  grates  its  teeth ;  stands  with  the  head  pendu- 
lous, almost  touching  the  ground ;  then  soon  falls,  and  dies  without 
a  struggle. 

The  autopsy  reveals  the  following:  The  liver  has  a  mottled  ap- 
pearance, and  its  structure  is  easily  broken  down ;  the  gall-blad- 
der is  usually  full  of  dark-colored,  tarry-looking  bile ;  kidneys, 
stomach,  and  intestines,  tolerably  healthy.  Should  any  urine  1)6 
found  in  the  bladder,  it  will  be  of  a  dark  color.  The  heart  is  pale 
and  flabby;  the  lungs,  healthy,  yet  the  chest  usually  contains  a 
quart  or  more  of  dark-colored  serum.  On  removing  the  skin, 
the  surface  of  the  body  is  yellow  (jaundiced). 

Treatment. — Remove  the  diseased  animals  from  the  flock  and 
int  them  in  a  dry  shed.     Then  prepare  the  following: 

Fluid   extract   of   leptandra     (Culver's 

root) 1   pound. 

Powdered  hyposulphite  of  soda 6  oz. 

Water 1  quai  t. 

"Dissolve  the  isoda  in  the  water,  then  add  the  leptandrin.  Dose, 
one  ounce  (fluid)  twice  daily.  Let  the  affected  animals  have  salt ; 
grass  should  also  be  cut  and  placed  before  tliem. 

*  Professor  Simonds. 


DISEASES  OF  SHEEP  307 

Vertigo,  or  Giddiness. 

Vertigo,  or  giddiness,  is  a  disease  of  the  nervous  system,  occa- 
woned,  most  frequently,  by  a  parasite  located  in  the  brain.  The 
parasite  is  named  caenarus  cerebralis,  and  belongs  to  the  species 
known  as  hydatids.  Lambs  fi'om  the  age  of  two  months,  or  from 
four  to  twelve  months,  are,  when  predisposed,  apt  to  become  the 
subjects  of  it.  The  disease  is  very  apt  to  end  in  organic  disease 
of  the  brain  and  spinal  marrow. 

The  disease  is  of  hereditary  origin,  and  comes  from  faults  or 
defects  in  one  or  both  parents,  and  also  from  the  too  early  prac- 
tice of  breeding,  which  often  obtains  in  some  sections  of  country. 
In  order  to  guard  against  the  disease,  we  must  put  out  of  the  breed 
ing-fold  both  males  and  females  that  have  shown  any  signs  of  the 
disorder,  and  not  breed  from  the  ewes  under  the  age  of  thirty 
months,  nor  from  rams  until  they  have  attained  their  second  year. 

Dreatment. — In  the  treatment  of  the  disease,  our  object  is  to  give 
tone  to  the  system,  and  saturate  the  blood  with  some  agent  (sul- 
phur) which  is  known  to  be  obnoxious  to  parasites  in  general. 
Take  of 

Sulphur 1  pound. , 

Powdered  sulphate  of  iron 6  oz. 

Powdered  poplar  bark 1  pound. 

Let  this  be  thoroughly  mixed,  place  it  in  a  stoppered  bottle,  and 
ii.rfep  it  in  a  dark  place.  Mix  a  table-spoonfiil  daily  in  bran,  and 
place  it  in  the  feed-trough,  or  mix  it  in  a  table-spoonful  of  syrup, 
and  administer  it  by  means  of  an  iron  spoon. 

Some  persons  contend  that  turnips,  when  fed  to  sheep,  are  apt 
to  produce  hydatids.  On  this  subject,  and  on  that  of  protecting 
eheep  from  the  inclemencies  of  the  weather,  the  following  article  is 
offered : 

Jackets,  or  Blankets  for  Sheep. 

iO  arriter  in  a  late  number  of  the  "  London  Agricultural  Gazette  " 
BEvs :  "  We  find,  on  examining  our  mortality  tables  for  the  last 
twelve  months,  that  out  of  six  hundred  Cheviot  and  black-faced 
Evehogs,  the  number  of  deaths  has  been  but  sixteen.  Be  it  re- 
membered, also,  that,  with  the  exception  of  about  a  score,  none  of 
these  ever  tasted  a  turnip,  but  fared  with  the  ewes  on  the  hill. 
Since  we  commenced  the  u'^c  of  jackets,  (small  blankets,)  we  have 


JJ08  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  A.->D  SURGERV. 

eepecially  noticed  an  extraordinary  diminution  of  the  cases  of 
*  sturdy/  or  water  in  the  head.  Hydatids  in  the  brain  are  gen- 
erally understood  to  be  induced  by  long-continued  heavy  rains, 
cold  -winds,  and  general  privation.  Any  one  conversant  with 
Bheep  must  have  observed  the  wool  along  the  back  parts  in  such 
a  way  as  fully  to  expose  the  skin.  The  connection  between  tLx 
spine  and  the  brain  is  obvious,  and  it  can  not  be  wondered  that 
hydatids  (little  sacs  filled  with  water)  should  be  formed  in  th? 
brains  of  sheep  much  exposed  to  severe  storms,  without  due  shel- 
ter. Hence  the  advantage  of  covering  their  backs  with  some  ma- 
terial which  will  protect  them,  in  a  great  measure,  from  the  chilling 
effects  of  wind  and  rain.  The  material  used  is  woollen,  the  size 
being  twenty-three  inches  by  fifteen.  We  lately  purchased  some 
coarse  blankets  that  made  excellent  covers,  each  jacket  costing 
fourpence.  The  rams  were  put  with  the  ewes  on  the  2  2d  of  No 
vember,  and  we  allow  forty-five  to  each  male." 

The  above  remarks,  from  a  flockmaster  of  large  experience,  in 
reference  to  the  cause  of  hydatids,  or  what  we  should  call  water  in 
the  brains  of  sheep,  are  interesting  in  a  medical  and  physiological 
point  of  view.  We  know  one  breeder  in  Vermont  who  covers 
the  back  of  each  sheep  with  a  half  yard  of  common  sheeting, 
painted,  to  shed  rain.  The  practice  is  founded  in  reason,  and  is 
likely  to  extend,  literally  making  cotton  tributary  to  the  produc- 
tion of  wool.  The  growers  of  the  former  staple  will  not  object  if 
every  sheep  in  the  United  States  and  Europe  has  a  cotton  "jacket ;" 
for  one  that  will  answer  every  intention  can  be  made  cheaper  of 
cotton  than  of  wool.  The  comfort  of  domestic  animals  at  th© 
South  is  sadly  and  most  expensively  neglected. 

FOOT-EOT. 

Causes. — General  debility,  exposure  in  wet  pastures,  contagion, 
foul  habit  of  body. 

Symptoms. — The  animal  is  observed  to  limp  in  one  en  both  of 
the  fore  or  hind  legs.  Sometimes  the  whole  four  are  affected. 
The  parts  are  hot,  tender,  and  swollen,  and  exude  a  fetid  fluid. 
The  animal  is  now  incapable  of  walking,  and,  if  not  speedily  re- 
lieved, death  ensues.  This  form  of  rot  is  contagious,  so  that,  if 
the  diseased  animals  are  not  separated  from  the  healthy,  the  latter 
Boon  become  infected.     To  propagate  malignant  rot,  it  is  quite 


DISEASES  OF  SHEEP.  309 

flofficient  that  a  flock  should  pass  over  a  place  which  has  a  little 
before  been  walked  over  by  a  diseased  sheep. 

Treatment. — Endeavor  to  ascertain  the  exciting  cause,  and,  if 
possible,  remove  it.  If  the  disease  has  assumed  a  putrid  type, 
the  superfluous  horn  may  be  removed.  The  parts  are  then  *o  be 
washed  with 

Pyroligneous  acid 4  oz. 

Water 3  oz. 

Mix. 

A  piece  of  lint  is  afterward  to  be  saturated  with  the  above,  and 
applied  as  a  dressing,  and  changed  as  occasion  may  require. 

The  local  remedy  will  avail  but  little  unless  we  sustain  the 
living  powers,  and  thus  improve  the  secretions.  Our  usual  rem- 
fidies  are, 

Powdered  golden  seal 1  oz. 

Powdered  sulphur ^  oz. 

Powdered  charcoal 1  oz. 

Powdered  sassafras 1  oz. 

Powdered  assafetida 2  dr. 

Flaxseed 2  lbs. 

Mix,  and  give  a  table-spoonful  twice  a  day  in  the  food. 

If  I  were  writing  exclusively  for  my  medical  brethren,  I  should 
recommend  them  to  treat  the  disease  according  to  its  indications. 
The  above  agents  will,  however,  generally  prove  efiicacious,  (even 
in  the  hands  of  the  non-medical,)  provided  due  attention  be  paid 
to  the  wants  of  the  animal,  and  such  additional  assistance  be  ren- 
dered as  common  sense  will  suggest.  Supposing  a  number  of  ani- 
mals to  be  affected,  it  would  occupy  too  much  time  to  treat  them 
singly ;  hence  I  recommend  that  they  be  made  to  walk  slowly,  or 
linger  for  some  time  in  a  wooden  trough,  the  floor  of  which  may 
be  coverad,  to  the  depth  of  one  inch,  with  the  following : 

Linseed  oil 2  pt. 

Pyroligneous  acid 4  pt. 

Kerosene 1  pt. 

lu  the  above  proportions,  the  required  quantity  may  be  pre- 
oared. 

Grubs  in  the  Nostrils. 

Grubs  in  the  nostrils  are  occasioned  by  the  gadfly,  which  de- 
p(Wits  her  ova  in  the  nostrils  of  sheep.  After  a  short  time  the 
ova  bring  forth  parasites  in  the  larvaeal  state;  the  latter  migrate 


310  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  fcURGERY 

within  the  interior  of  the  nostrils,  causing  the  sheep  much  paii; 
and  annoyance.  When  the  larvse  are  capable  of  excrcisirg  an 
independent  existence,  they  undergo  the  same  evolution  Avhich 
obtains  in  the  case  of  the  bot  parasite;  namely,  they  burrow  int'^. 
the  earth,  and  finally  become  metamorphosed  into  the  gadfly. 

It  seems  that  the  gadfly  selects  its  subjects,  and  the  weakest 
and  most  unpromising  of  the  flock  are  usually  its  victims;  hence 
close  attention  to  the  requirements  and  condition  of  a  flock  may, 
to  a  certain  extent,  act  as  a  preventive.  Some  farmers,  in  view 
of  preventing  the  attacks  of  the  gadfly,  smear  the  noses  of  their 
sheep  with  common  tar.  Others  plow  up  a  piece  of  land  where 
sheep  are  pastured,  into  which  they  thrust  their  noses,  and  then, 
for  the  time  being,  they  baffle  the  gadfly.  I  do  not  think  it  would 
be  good  policy  to  attempt,  either  by  mechanical  or  medicinal  mean5i, 
to  dislodge  the  parasites ;  for  the  remedy  might  be  worse  than  the 
disease.  When  the  ova  have  arrived  at  maturity,  the  sheep  them- 
selves aid  in  the  dislodgment  with  acts  of  snorting,  sneezing,  and 
coughing. 

Ticks. 

These  troublesome  parasites  may  easily  be  got  rid  of  by  dijw 
ping  the  sheep  in  an  infusion  of  tobacco.  A  compound  tobaccc 
sheep-dip  is  now  manufactured,  and  can  be  obtained  at  the  drug 
stores,  with  full  directions  for  use. 

Inflammation  of  the  Eye. 

Inflammation  of  the  eye  is  very  readily  detected  by  an  acui^j 
redness  which  pervades  the  lining  membranes  of  the  eyelids  an' I 
that  which  affords  a  partial  covering  to  the  eyeball.  The  afflictel 
animal  keeps  the  eyelids  partly  closed;  an  effusion  of  tears  runs 
over  the  lower  angle  of  the  eye ;  there  is  intolerance  to  light,  and 
the  animal  appears  to  suffer  considerable  pain. 

Treatment. — Separate  the  patient  from  the  flock,  aiid  oathe  the 
eye  occasionally  with  the  following  lotion : 

Sugar  of  milk 1  oz 

Fluid  extract  of  hops 1   dr. 

Raia-water f»  oz. 

Mix. 

Should  the  disease  run  on  to  cataract,  the  sight  can  not  be 
restored. 


DISEASES  OF  SHEEr.  31  I 


Inflammation  of  the  Lungs. 

Inflammation  of  the  lungs  is  usually  the  result  of  exposure ;  or 
it  may  arise  in  consequence  of  herding  too  many  sheei?  together; 
sometimes  it  makes  its  appearance  without  any  perceptible  cause. 
An  impure  atmosphere,  however,  may  be  set  down  as  the  ordinary 
exciting  cause  of  this  malady.  * 

Treatment, — Place  upon  the  tongue  ten  drops  of  fluid  extract 
of  gelseminum,  morning  and  evening.  Dissolve  one  ounce  of 
chlorate  of  potass  in  half  a  pint  of  flaxseed  tea,  and  give  it  daily 
as  a  drench  until  the  animal  improves.  Let  the  patient  be  placed 
in  a  secluded  spot,  under  cover,  and  if  the  case  is  curable,  health 
will  soon  return. 

The  most  marked  symptoms  of  pneumonia  are  panting  and 
heaving  at  the  flanks,  quickened  respiration,  discharge  from  the 
nose,  and  cough.  There  is  also  a  cessation  of  rumination.  In 
ihort,  the  same  symptoms  prevail  in  this  disease  as  in  pneumonia 
jf  cattle. 

Common  Catarrh. 

This  affection  prevails  most  extensively  among  sheep  that  have 
been  exposed  to  rains  and  unpleasant  weather.  The  disease  mani- 
fests itself  in  the  form  of  a  defluxion  from  the  nostrils  of  a  muco- 
serous  discharge,  accompanied  by  frequent  sneezing,  and  occasional 
cough.  As  soon  as  the  disease  is  discovered,  the  affected  animals 
should  be  placed  in  comfortable  quarters.  Then  prepare  the 
following  drench: 

Composition  powder 2  oz. 

Boiling  water 1  qt. 

Pour  the  boiling  water  on  the  powder;  let  the  mixture  stand 
m  a  warm  place  for  an  hour ;  pour  off  the  clear  liquor,  and  add 
two  ounces  of  sugar  of  milk.  Dose :  A  wine-glassful  once  or  twice 
daily. 

Malignant  epizootic  catarrh  may  be  treated  in  the  same  man- 
ner, with  the  addition  of  one  ounce  of  chlorate  of  potass  per  day, 
which  can  be  dissolved  in  the  above  drench. 


812  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERI. 


Diarrhea  and  Dysentery. 

Curable  cases  of  the  above  character  are  brought  to  a  favorable 
termination  by  using  the  following  drench : 

Finely  pulverized  animal  charcoal ....  1  o». 

Scalded  cow's  milk 1  gill. 

Hyposulphite  of  soda 1  dr. 

Mix. 

The  above  constitutes  a  dose.  It  may  be  repeated  as  often  as 
the  emergency  seems  to  require ;  but  should  the  subject  Je  a  young 
lamb  one-half  the  above  quantity  will  suffice. 


Constipation  of  the  Bowels. 

Constipation  is  almost  always  the  result  of  a  deranged  condition 
of  the  digestive  organs.  A  deranged  condition  of  the  liver,  for 
example,  will  result  in  costiveness,  for  which  I  recommend  the 
following  drench : 

Glauber  salts 2  oz. 

Fluid  extract  of  leptandra 1  tea-spoonful. 

Thin  gruel ^  pt. 

Dissolve  the  salts  in  the  gruel,  and  drench  the  animal  with  the 
same. 


Tympanites,  or  Windi  Distension  of  the  Intestines 
AND  Abdomen. 

This  disease  is  very  easily  recognized  by  the  bloated  appear- 
ance of  the  animal.  It  is  occasioned  by  the  food  running  into 
fermentation  and  generating  gas.  The  following  remedy  is  a  ?ure 
cure  hr  tympanites,  administered  as  a  drench : 

Hyposulphite  of  soda 4  dr. 

Fluid  extract  of  golden  seal  ....  1  dr. 

Fluid  extract  of  ginger 2  dr. 

Water 1  wine-glassful . 


SECTION    XVIII. 
DISEASES    OF    SWINE. 

ErrECTS  of  Impure  Air  on  Swine — Measles  in  Pork — Quinsy — Hernia, 
Rupture — Intestinal  Worms — Hog  Cholera — Trichina  Spinalis. 

The  Treatment  op  the  Diseases  of  Swine. 

THE  nature  of  the  most  common  diseases  incidental  to  swine, 
and  the  treatment  of  the  same,  are  subjects  of  great  impor- 
tance to  those  engaged  in  raising  this  description  of  property,  and 
it  is  very  gratifying  to  know  that  farmers  are  anxious  to  obtain 
reliable  information  on  such  subjects.  It  is  only  of  late  years  that 
any  special  attention  has  been  given  to  swine  pathology  in  this 
country,  either  by  farmers  or  surgeons,  and  in  former  years  the 
treatment  of  swine  diseases  was  extremely  barbarous,  and  consisted 
of  little  else  than  of  splitting  their  ears,  cutting  off  their  tails,  and 
dosing  them  with  poisons.  Such  treatment  must  have  been  any 
ihing  but  pleasant  to  the  poor  brutes,  and  very  unsatisfactory  in 
its  results. 

Swine,  in  certain  periods  in  the  history  of  the  world,  have  been 
denominated  "  unclean  creatures,  of  gross  habits,"  etc.  If  they 
are  unclean  and  of  gross  habits,  their  owners  gave  them  their  first 
lesson,  and  are  more  to  blame  than  the  animal.  Hew  can  it  be 
expected  that  they  shall  exhibit  better  jiabits  while  confined  in 
miserable  quarters  and  filthy  localities,  where  they  are  often  com- 
pelled to  wallow  knee-deep  in  mud  and  excrement,  dragging  out 
a  woful  existence  in  the  midst  of  a  perfect  hot-bed  of  filth,  often 
respinng  an  atmosphere  concocted  from  the  decomposition  of 
^•otten excrements  within  their  pest-hole,  or  local  habitation.  And 
the  food  that  such  poor  creatures  are  compelled  to  devour,  what 
-shall  I  say  of  that?    It  is  too  beastly  to  describe,  yet  the  cravings 


814  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGEKt. 

of  an  appetite,  not  naturally  morbid,  induce  the  animal  to  convert 
his  stomach  into  a  living  cess-pool.  Some  persons  appear  to  hav(» 
an  idea  that  any  system  of  management  is  good  enough  for  hogs , 
hence  how  can  we  expect  that  animals  thus  neglected  and  misused 
shall  improve,  either  in  habits  or  condition?  Hence,  if  domes- 
ticated swiue  have  lost  their  natural  instincts,  and  acquired  gross 
and  filthy  habits,  the  blame  should  fall  where  it  belongs.  Hus- 
bandmen know,  from  experience,  that  if  young  pigs  are  properly 
provided  for  and  kept  in  comfortable  quarters,  and  not  too  nu- 
merously herded,  they  will  refuse  to  partake  of  the  horrid  garbage 
which  their  city  cousins,  occupying  a  down-cellar  locality,  are, 
from  sheer  necessity,  compelled  to  devour,  and  they  will  exercise 
the  same  sagacity  in  the  selection  of  nice  morsels  as  tha  wild  ori- 
ginals have  been  known  to  manifest. 

The  ancients  were  led  to  believe  that  "  the  use  of  swine's  flesh 
was  an  abomination,  and  its  touch  pollution."  This  was,  and 
is^  a  mere  theory,  unsustaiued  by  facts — the  result  of  prejudice; 
for  the  Egyptians,  Jews,  and  Mohammedans,  who  considered  the 
flesh  of  swine  as  the  exciting  cause  of  leprosy  and  tape-worms, 
were  the  greatest  sufferers,  yet  they  never  touched  pork.  On 
perusing  the  records  of  the  Jewish  historians,  we  are  informed 
that  the  strangers  sojourning  in  the  camp  of  the  Egyptians,  par- 
took freely  of  pork,  yet  no  cases  of  scrofula  nor  leprosy  appeared 
among  them;  yet  the  followers  of  Moses,  who,  from  prejudice 
or  antiquated  religious  custom,  abstained  from  pork,  were  the 
greatest  sufferers  from  the  terrible  diseases  known  as  scrofula  and 
leprosy.  Pork  is  the  principal  article  of  food  among  the  Ro 
mans,  Greeks,  Chinese,  natives  of  the  Archipelago  Islands,  and 
the  negroes  inhabiting  the  burning  regions  of  Asia ;  also  the 
more  refined  and  straight-haired  inhabitants  of  Northern  Asia 
partake  freely  of  pork. 

The  people  of  England  consume  an  immense  amount  of  pork, 
as  do  also  the  people  of  this  country.  Our  soldiers  in  and  out  of 
ramp,  and  when  on  the  march,  devour  pork,  both  cooked  and  un- 
cooked, with  impunity;  hence,  if  pork  is  really  the  cause  of  leprosy, 
scrofula,  or  tape- worm,  we  might  expect  to  see  many  lepers  in  this 
coui  try,  and  an  equal  number  of  unfortunate  individuals  infested 
with  tape-worms ;  but  we  all  know  that  the  converse  is  the  case, 
and  many  American  physicians  inform  me  that  leprosy  and  tape- 
worm are  very  rare  afflictions  in  this  country ;  so  that  the  uncom- 


DISEASES  OF  SWINE.  315 

plaining  and  much-abused  creature  that  I  am  writing  about,  has 
been  most  awfully  slandered  and  ill-used. 

I  contend  that  the  flesh  of  swine,  when  the  animal  has  been 
judiciously  fed,  is  nutritive,  wholesome,  and  palatable,  and  iu 
its  excellency  is  considered  a  great  delicacy.  Like  ether  sub- 
stantial food,  however,  it  does  not  agree  with  some  persons ;  but 
the  fault  is  not  in  the  pork,  but  in  the  stomach  of  the  invalid,  who 
should  not  taste  that  which  disagrees  with  him.  Still,  it  would 
appear  to  be  in  perfect  harmony  with  retributive  justice,  if  the 
diseases  alluded  to  were  the  result  of  man's  criminal  neglect  of  a 
class  of  animals  that  should  claim  his  care  and  protection. 

I  have  alluded  to  the  condition  of  swine,  such  as  are  kept  in 
cities.  What  shall  I  say  of  those  which  are  kept  and  fed  at  the 
slaughter-houses  in  Chicago  and  at  Cincinnati?  We  are  all  con- 
versant with  the  facts  in  the  case ;  they  are  too  notorious  to  need 
repetition.  I  only  urge  those  who  have  the  power  and  will  to 
inaugurate  a  reform  where  reforms  are  most  needed.  Credit  is 
due,  however,  to  our  farmers,  who  pay  much  attention  to  the 
raising  and  welfare  of  swine.  The  errors  I  complain  of  are  not 
so  prevalent  in  the  country  as  in  our  large  cities.  I  contend  that 
the  hog  does  not  thrive  so  well  in  the  city  as  in  the  country.  He 
was  never  cut  out  for  a  citizen ;  he  never  chews  tobacco,  nor  does 
he  "  smile."  He  is  one  of  Nature's  pets,  and  thrives  best  on  roots 
and  fruit,  iu  the  universal  sty.  The  city  air  does  not  vitalize  his 
blood — does  not  agree  with  him.  Down-cv,llar  locations,  and 
narrow,  filthy  pens,  are  abominations.  They  tend  to  toughen 
muscle  and  to  tubercularize,  often  sending  thousands  of  otherwise 
valuable  animals  into  a  galloping  consumption,  from  which  the 
knife  of  the  butcher  rescues  them. 

Effects  of  Impure  air  on  Swine. 

A  great  proportion  of  the  diseases  which  afflict  swine  are,  no 
doubt,  caused  by  bad  management,  and  the  crowding  of  them 
together  on  a  limited  space,  where  they  must  necessarily  breathe 
a  highly-contaminated  atmosphere.  It  is  one  of  the  chief  causes 
of  pulmonary  apoplexy,  and  other  pneumonic  aifections  which  are 
BO  notoriously  prevalent.  I  have  often  seen  a  lot  of  swine  disem- 
barked from  the  cars  the  subjects  of  congestion  of  the  lungs,  the 
external  surface  of  the  bodies  of  some  being  as  blue  as  indigo,  (quite 


81c  DADD'S  VETERLNARV  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

livid,}  showing  very  conclusively  that  their  blood  was  highly 
charged  with  carbon ;  that  either  for  want  of  pure  air,  or  from 
temporary  incapa3ity  of  the  lungs,  in  consequence  of  crowding  too 
many  animals  together,  the  lungs  failed  to  oxygenize  the  blood, 
and  thus  they  suffered.  Swine  require  pure  fresh  air  as  much  as 
we  do  for  the  vitalization  of  their  blood,  and  can  no  more  liv6 
without  it  than  did  the  unfortunate  individuals  that  perished  in 
the  Black  Hole  of  Calcutta.  Under  such  circumBtances,  whether 
the  animals  be  confined  in  close  cars  or  in  filthy  pens,  it  makes 
but  little  difference — they  are  liable  to  become  diseased ;  and  it 
often  happens  that  when  certain  forms  of  disease  are  engendered 
spontaneously  in  this  way,  other  animals  exposed  to  the  infection 
are  attacked,  and  thus  we  have  an  epizootic,  which  is  sure  to  com- 
mit sad  havoc  ere  it  dies  out  or  can  be  arrested.  It  is  probable 
that  bad  air,  inferior  diet,  and  crowding  animals  into  filthy  loca- 
tions have  more  to  do  with  the  production  of  the  so-called  "  hog 
cholera  "  and  the  well-known  pleuro-pneumonia  than  some  persons 
are  apt  to  realize.  If  this  be  true,  and  I  think  it  is,  then  our  hus- 
bandmen must  see  the  necessity  of  paying  great  attention  to  the 
hygienic  management  of  swine.  The  latter  are  generally  the  most 
neglected  and  despised  of  all  our  domestic  animals,  except  when 
they  are  of  aristocratic  breed,  and  owned  by  amateurs  of  means, 
or  when  they  are  designed  for  "  home-fed  pork."  Now,  if  it  pays 
the  amateur  and  lover  of  "  home-fed  "  to  give  the  animal  that  at- 
tention and  care  which  he  not  only  requires,  but  is  entitled  to,  then 
a  similar  course  of  practice  must  increase  the  gains  of  those  who 
raise  their  animals  for  the  market. 

Pure  air,  good  food,  plenty  of  space,  and  comfortable  quarters 
are  the  best  preventives  of  disease  that  I  know  of.  Much  better  are 
they  than  all  the  drugs  in  the  country ;  and  when  the  animal  be- 
comes sick,  without  proper  attention  to  hygiene,  medicine  is  not 
worth  a  straw.  It  is  well-known  to  the  scientific  farmer  that 
when  swine  are  crammed  on  a  limited  portion  of  land  whence 
they  derive  their  food,  without  regard  to  the  laws  which  govern 
the  distribution  of  living  beings  throughout  creation,  disease  and 
death  run  riot,  and  the  bodies  of  such  animals  are  almost  sure  to 
be  infested  with  various  kinds  of  parasites. 

The  same  facts  have  been  observed  in  regard  to  sheep,  when 
they  are  crowded  and  the  land  overstocked.  It  is  the  forerunner 
of  parasitic  disease.     An  English  writer,  having  considerable  ex- 


Dx^EASES  OF  SWINE.  '6ll 

perience  in  the  matter,  contends  that  it  is  the  crowding  of  sheej 
on  the  low  lands  which  has  engendered  "  rot "  and  "  scab,"  and 
which  causes  thousands  to  die,  with  the  respiratory  organs  filled 
with  strongyli,  or  the  intestines  with  tape-worms.  The  Australian 
farmers  can  testify  to  the  ravages  of  the  tape-worm  in  sheep  as  tie 
result  of  crowding  land  to  an  unnatural  extent.  On  our  vast  prai- 
ries, however,  there  may  be  no  danger  of  overcrowding,  yet  it  is 
right  that  we  should  be  conversant  with  the  danger,  in  order  to 
avoid  it  in  the  future. 

Majendie,  the  celebrated  French  physician,  contends  that 
very  many  grave  and  fatal  diseases  are  introduced  into  the  system 
through  the  respiratory  organs :  "  And  although  we  with  difficulty 
arrive  at  any  certain  knowledge  of  the  miasms  rising  in  marshy 
grounds  from  the  decomposition  of  putrid  vegetable  and  animal 
substances,  there  can  be  no  doubt  whatever  of  their  entering  into 
the  blood  through  the  medium  of  the  air,  and  so  producing  many 
fatal  diseases.  In  some  countries,  epidemic  affections  especially 
rage  with  extreme  intensity.  In  hot,  humid  climates,  and  espe- 
cially on  the  sea-coast  and  borders  of  certain  rivers,  as,  for  instance, 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  Vera  Cruz,  New  Orleans,  etc.  Such  causes 
admit  of  demonstration,  since,  by  introduction  of  them  into  the 
blood  experimentally,  may  be  produced,  though  not  exactly  yellow 
fever,  symptoms  bearing  the  greatest  resemblance  to  it,  with  black 
vomit  and  speedy  death.  Lower  Egypt,  where  the  plague  for- 
merly prevailed  so  alarmingly,  owing  to  such  causes,  has  been 
rendered  comparatively  rare  by  the  improved  condition  of  the 
country." 

Measles  in  Pork. 

Measles  in  the  hog  is  identical  with  tape- worm  in  man.  It  has 
been  discovered  that  the  hydatids  of  the  hog,  known  as  measles, 
(namad  in  the  zo5logical  system  cysticercus  cellulosa,)  have  exactly 
the  same  head  as  the  common  tape-worm  of  man  (tsenia  solium). 
Many  experiments  have,  from  time  to  time,  been  made,  setting  the. 
matter  beyond  a  doubt.  Kuckexmeistee,  who  wished  to  make 
sure  of  the  fact,  made  the  experiment  upon  a  criminal  who  was 
soon  to  be  executed,  and,  as  was  to  be  expected,  with  perfect  suc- 
cess. Measles  taken  from  fresh  pork,  and  put  into  sausages  which 
the  criminal  ate  raw,  at  certain  intervals,  before  his  death,  were 
found  again,  in  the  post  mortem  examination,  as  tape-w^rms  Id 


518  DADD'S  VETERINAKY  MEDICINE  AND  SUKGERT. 

his  intestines,  and  in  different  stages  of  development,  according  » 
the  intervals  in  which  the  measles  had  been  taken.  Thus  it  was 
discovered  that  all  measles  in  swine  are  tape-worm  larvse,  which, 
when  swallowed  with  a  portion  of  the  animal  in  which  they  live 
by  another  animal,  develop  the  tape-worm.  In  zoology  tape- 
worms are  named  cestoidea.  About  two  hundred  different  species 
are  described  by  naturalists,  which  vary  much  in  size,  the  smallest 
being  barely  visible  to  the  naked  eye,  while  the  largest  will  some- 
times measure  one  hundred  feet  in  length. 

Different  species  of  animals  are  infested  with  different  species 
of  tape- worms.  They  are  found  in  the  intestines  of  the  horse,  ass, 
sheep,  goat,  dog,  deer,  antelope,  rat,  mouse,  and  many  other  ani- 
mals and  insects.  All  taj/C-worms  are  hermaphrodites ;  the  sexes 
are  not  only  united  in  the  whole  of  the  tape-worm,  but  each  joint 
of  the  compound  parasite  for  itself  has  its  own  independent  male 
and  female  sexual  organs,  testicles,  and  ovaries. 

Treatment. — Put  into  the  food  of  each  hog,  daily,  two  drachms 
of  powdered  sulphur,  half  an  ounce  of  powdered  poplar  bark,  and 
half  a  table-spoonful  of  fine  salt.  The  best  method  of  preventing 
measles  in  swine  is  to  keep  their  lodging-places  perfectly  clean 
and  dry,  and  to  allow  them  pure  air  and  exercise.  Their  food 
should  be  of  a  very  nutritious  quality.  Swine  may  be  suspected 
to  have  measles  when  they  do  not  fatten  nor  thrive  well. 

Quinsy. 

This  is  a  very  common  disease  among  swine,  and  affects  the 
lining  membrane  of  the  respiratory  passages,  which  become  in- 
flamed and  tumefied.  This  condition  occasions  great  difficulty  in 
swallowing  either  fluids  or  solids,  and  the  respiration  is  much 
embarrassed;  the  neck  appears  to  be  stiff,  and  the  nose  is  pro- 
truded. A  distressing  cough  is  usually  present ;  the  animal  froths 
at  the  mouth  as  if  he  were  choking ;  the  glands  in  the  region  of 
the  throat  are  enlarged,  and  this  adds  to  the  difficulty  in  breathing. 

Titatment — A  mild  case  of  quinsy,  unaccompanied  with  tume- 
faction of  the  throat  or  the  thyroid  glands,  may  be  cured  by 
transferring  the  animal  to  a  warm  pen  where  he  can  burrow  in 
•ilean  straw.  Let  him  have  a  mess  of  thin  gruel  three  times  dail)-, 
into  which  stir  half  an  ounce  of  powdered  chlorate  of  potass.  It 
is  not  safe  to  drench  an  animal  the  subject  of  quinsy,  for  he  may 


DISEASES  OF  SWINE  319 

choke  to  deatli ;  therefore,  if  possible,  the  medicine  must  be  iueor- 
porated  with  the  food.  In  bad  cases  the  throat  must  be  lubricated 
with  cod-liver  oil  occasionally.  Should  the  bowels  be  constipated, 
a  few  ounces  of  Epsom  salts  or  a  couple  of  ounces  of  castor-oil  are 
indicated ;  whereas  a  looseness  or  temporary  diarrhea  must  be 
held  in  check  by  means  of  pulverized  anthracite  coal,  or  else  by 
means  of  animal  charcoal.  These  ingredients  should  be  mixed  in 
ecalded  milk,  and  placed  in  a  clean  trough.  It  is  very  evident, 
however,  that,  in  the  absence  of  pure  air,  comfortable  quarters, 
and  good  nursing,  medicine  will  have  but  little  if  any  effect. 

Quinsy  mostly  owes  its  origin  to  exposure,  fatigue  in  travel- 
ing long  distances,  and  to  bad  accommodations ;  therefore  proper 
attention  to  the  wants  and  comfort  of  these  animals  w.Ul  act  as 
the  best  of  preventives. 

The  wretched  condition  in  which  some  of  these  animals  are 
compelled  to  exist,  and  the  vile  garbage  which  is  often  fed  to  them, 
is  the  exciting  cause  of  most  of  their  maladies ;  therefore  such  mat- 
ters should  command  the  attention  of  husbandmen. 


Hernia,  or  Rupture. 

Pigs  are  very  frequently  born  in  a  ruptured  condition.  The 
disease  is  then  called  congenital,  and  scrotal  when  within  the 
scrotum.  The  disease  consists  of  adhesion  of  a  protruded  portion 
of  intestine  to  the  testicle  after  its  descent  into  the  scrotum.  This 
adhesion  often  takes  place  while  the  testicle  is  yet  in  the  abdomen. 
On  the  descent  of  the  testicle  into  the  scrotum  the  intestine  de- 
scends with  it. 

Treatment — Secure  the  limbs,  or  engage  some  persons  to  hold 
them ;  then  place  the  animal  on  a  bench,  and  cut  carefully  over 
the  region  of  the  enlargement  until  the  testicle  is  exposed.  Care- 
fully dissect  the  intestine  from  the  testicle ;  remove  the  testicle  iu 
the  usual  way ;  then  return  the  intestine  within  the  abdomen. 
Should  the  intestine  be  so  large  that  it  seems  impossible  to  return 
it,  then  enlarge  the  opening  by  means  of  a  probe-pointed  knife  j 
then  raise  the  hind-quarters  of  the  pig,  and  the  bowel  will  return 
into  the  abdominal  cavity,  after  which  take  a  couple  of  stitches 
through  the  skin  and  superficial  tissues,  and  the  operation  is  fin- 
ished. In  a  few  days  the  stitches  may  be  cut  away ;  there  is  no 
need  of  any  dressing. 


820  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY 


Intestinal  Worms. 

When  swine  are  infested  with  intestinal  parasites  they  gener- 
ally become  unthrifty — will  not  fatten,  yet  have  a  voracious  ap- 
petite, and  will  devour  greedily  every  thing  that  is  placed  before 
them. 

Treatment — For  solitary  cases  give  the  animal  an  Dccasional 
dose  of  the  following : 

Castor-oil .' 2  oz. 

Oil  of  wormseed 1  dr. 

Mix. 

When  a  large  number  of  animals  are  infested  with  intestinai 
parasites,  prepare  the  following : 

Pulverized  anthracite  coal 2  lbs. 

Powdered  poplar  bark 1  lb. 

Powdered  sulphur -J  lb. 

Powdered  salt 4  oz. 

Mix. 

Give  a  table-spoonful  with  the  food  twice  daily,  antil  the  animal 
takes  on  a  more  thrifty  condition. 


Inflammation  of  the  Lungs  (Pneumonia). 

Inflammation  of  the  lungs,  or  what  may  very  properly  be 
termed  apoplexy  of  the  same,  is  a  very  fatal  malady  in  swine,  and 
runs  its  course  to  a  fatal  termination  very  rapidly. 

Symptoii\s. — The  early  symptoms  are  accelerated  and  laborio'is 
respiration,  shivering  fits,  cough,  loss  of  appetite,  and  rapid  wast- 
ing of  fat  and  flesh. 

Treatment. — Dissolve  half  an  ounce  of  nitrate  of  potass  in  about 
a  quart  of  thin  gruel  and  set  it  before  the  patient ;  if  he  refuse  to 
drink  it,  then  a  drench  of  the  same  must  be  given.  In  the  mean 
time  place  on  the  tongue  ten  drops  (three  times  daily)  of  fluid 
extract  of  gelseminum  until  the  febrile  symptoms  have  subsided  ; 
then  give  every  morning  half  an  ounce  of  hyposulphite  of  soda 
until  the  animal  is  convalescent.  Bleeding  and  purging,  as  re- 
commended in  ancient  works,  is  sure  death  to  the  animal. 


DISEASES  OB-  5>WTXE.  '6'1\ 


Hog  Cholera. 


The  disease  to  which  the  name  of  "hog  cholera"  has  been  gen* 
erally  but  improperly  applied,  has  prevailed  more  r-xtensively  in 
this  country  than  most  persons  are  aware  of.  The  first  appear- 
ance of  the  disease,  of  which  I  have  been  able  to  find  any  notice, 
was  in  Indiana,  in  the  summer  of  1856.  It  has  continued,  to  a 
greater  or  less  extent,  since  that  time  in  our  Western  and  Southern 
States,  in  nearly  all  of  which  it  has,  at  some  period,  attained  the 
character  of  a  wide-spread  and  fatal  epidemic.  Its  victims  in 
those  States  are  numbered  by  hundreds  of  thousands,  if  not  by 
millions.  During  the  last  five  years  this  disease  has  been  seen, 
from  time  to  time,  in  portions  of  the  more  eastern  States,  some- 
times, as  in  Western  New  York  in  1856,  proving  quite  severe  and 
fatal  in  comparatively  limited  localities ;  but  in  the  Eastern  States 
it  has,  to  a  great  extent,  originated  Avith  and  has  generally  been 
confined  to,  hogs  imported  from  the  West.  I  think  that  in  no 
State  east  of  Ohio  has  the  disease  prevailed  extensively,  or  attained 
the  character  of  a  wide-spread  epidemic.  In  the  vicinity  of  Provi- 
dence, Rhode  Island,  it  has  prevailed  to  some  extent,  more  jiar- 
ticularly  among  large  herds  of  swine,  during  each  of  the  last  five 
winters,  but  has  been  mostly  confined  to  hogs  brought  from  the 
West,  and  has  usually  disappeared  with  the  approach  of  warm 
weather.  During  the  last  winter  it  was  more  severe  than  in  any 
jjreceding,  and  was  not  confined  to  Western  hogs.  Neither  did 
the  disease,  as  heretofore,  cease  with  the  cold  weather,  but  it  con- 
tinued until  August,  having  destroyed  more  than  five  hundred 
hogs  in  Providence  and  in  the  adjoining  towns  during  the  first 
seven  months  of  the  year  1861.  X  have  also  heard  of  its  preva- 
lence in  various  towns  in  Massachusetts  during  the  same  period. 

It  is  evident  that  a  subject  of  so  great  importance  to  the  agri- 
cultural interests  of  the  community  deserves  attention.  It  is  also 
interesting  to  all  classes  of  the  community,  on  account  of  the  re- 
lations of  this  disease  to  epidemic  diseases  which  afflict  the  human 
race,  and  on  account  of  its  effects  upon  the  supply  of  animal  food 
for  cities.  For  these  reasons  I  have,  in  connection  with  Dr.  Col- 
lins and  other  physicians  of  this  city,  made  some  investigations 
upon  the  subject.  We  have  visited  and  examined  many  sick  hogs, 
and  have  examined  the  bodies  of  some  of  them  after  death.  I 
have  also  made  inquiries  of  those  who  1  ave  had  the  care  :f  the 
21 


o2i  1/1.)'S  VETERINAR\    MEDICINI    AND  SURGERY^ 

hog8  :i  relation  to  the  symptoms,  and  have  obtained  information, 
BO  far  as  possible,  from  those  who  have  seen  the  disease  at  the 
West,  where  it  has  prevailed  so  extensively.  The  results  of  these 
investigations  I  propose  to  give  briefly  as  follows: 

Symptoras. — The  symptoms,  as  described  by  persons  unaccus- 
tomed to  such  observations,  are  extremely  various.  By  combin- 
ing the  information  obtained  from  others  with  the  results  of  my 
own  observations,  the  symptoms,  as  seen  during  the  life  of  the 
animal,  are  nearly  as  follows: 

1.  Refusal  of  food. — This  is  the  first  symptom  usually  noticed 
by  those  who  have  the  care  of  the  animals,  though,  as  will  be  seen 
liereafter,  this  symptom  by  no  means  indicates  the  beginning  of 
the  disease.  The  refusal  of  food,  after  it  is  first  noticed,  generally 
continues  through  the  whole  sickness,  and  food  of  every  descrij- 
tion  is  mostly  refused. 

2.  Crreat  thirst. — This  is  constant,  and  large  quantities  of  cold 
water  will  be  swallowed  if  it  can  be  obtained.  Even  after  the 
animal  is  unable  to  stand  alone  it  will  drink  cold  water  with 
•eagerness. 

3.  After  a  time,  the  length  of  which  varies  very  much,  the  ani- 
mal begins  to  show  signs  of  weakness;  reels,  staggers,  and,  in 
attempting  to  walk,  often  falls  down. 

4.  In  most  cases  there  is  a  diarrhea,  with  copious  fluid  dis- 
charges of  dark,  bilious,  and  very  offensive  matters.  In  a  few 
cases  there  is  no  diarrhea,  but  evacuations  of  hard,  black  balls ; 
but  in  some  of  these  cases  the  fluid  offensive  matter  is  found  in 
the  intestines  after  death. 

5.  In  a  few  cases  there  is  vomiting ;  but  this  is  not  often  severe, 
nor  is  it  continuous  for  any  length  of  time. 

6.  The  external  appearance  of  the  animal  is  at  first  paler  than 
usual;  but  toward  the  last  of  the  sickness  purple  spots  appear, 
first  on  the  nose  and  sides  of  the  head.  These  extend  along  the 
sides  and  belly,  and  between  the  hind  legs ;  after  which  the  ani- 
mal soon  dies. 

7.  In  many  cases,  perhaps  a  majority,  ulcers  are  found  on  the 
different  parts  of  the  body.  These  were  particularly  noticed  on 
the  inside  of  the  lips  and  gums,  and  on  the  feet,  and  were  often 
quite  deep  and  excavated.  In  some  cases  these  ulcers  were  seen 
in  the  nostrils,  and  in  one  case  there  were  extensive  ulcerations  in 
the  back  part  of  the  mouth,  on  the  tonsils. 


1>ISEASES  OF  SWii>'E.  323 

8.  In  some  cases  the  legs  are  swelled,  and  the  animal  is  lame; 
sometimes  the  ears  and  sides  of  the  head  are  swelled  and  r'^d , 
sometimes  the  eyes  are  sore  and  inflamed;  sometimes  swellings, 
like  carbuncles,  are  seen ;  and,  generally,  the  glands  near  the  sur- 
face seem  to  be  enlarged. 

9.  In  most  cases  the  pulse  is  quickened,  the  breathing  is  hurried 
and  difficult,  and  there  is  much  cough ;  but  in  some  genuine  cases 
there  is  no  perceptible  trouble  with  the  lungs,  and  no  important 
signs  of  disease  are  found  in  them  after  death. 

10.  The  duration  of  the  disease  in  fatal  cases,  after  the  first 
symptoms  are  noticed,  is  extremely  variable.  We  have  seen  some 
which  have  died  within  two  or  three  hours;  others  have  lived 
many  days.  It  is  difficult,  however,  to  fix  the  time  of  the  appear- 
ance of  the  first  symptoms.  The  first  noticed  is  usually  the  refusal 
of  food ;  but  it  is  probable,  indeed  it  is  certain,  that  the  sickness 
is  in  progress  for  a  considerable  period  before  the  animal  refuses 
food.  Cases  like  the  following  are  sometimes  seen :  A  hog  refuses 
to  eat ;  it  soon  grows  weak ;  staggers  in  walking ;  turns  purple 
on  the  sides  and  belly,  and  dies  within  two  or  three  hours  after 
the  first  symptom  is  noticed.  But,  on  examination  after  death, 
extensive  disease  is  found  in  the  intestines,  or  in  the  lungs,  or  in 
both,  at  a  stage  of  development  which  must  have  required  many 
days  to  reach. 

Such  are  the  symptoms  as  obtained  from  inquiries  and  obser- 
vations in  this  vicinity.  Since  the  preceding  description  was  writ- 
ten, I  have  obtained  a  valuable  article  upon  the  disease,  written 
by  Dr.  George  Sutton,  of  Aurora.  Dearborn  County,  Indiana, 
and  published  in  the  "  North  American  Medico-Chirurgical  Re- 
view," for  May,  1858. 

Dr.  Sutton  made  extensive  and  careful  observations  of  the 
disease  as  it  prevailed  in  Indiana,  and  his  articles  comprise  the 
only  published  information  I  have  been  able  to  obtain  in  relation 
to  it.  His  description  of  the  sym})toms  is  as  follows  :  "  The  hog 
at  first  appears  weak ;  his  head  droops ;  and  sometimes,  in  a  few 
hours  after  these  symptoms,  diarrhea  commences.  There  is  fre- 
quently vomiting.  In  some  cases  the  discharges  were  serous  and 
clay-colored,  sometimes  dark,  also  bloody  and  mucous,  resembling 
those  of  dysentery.  The  urine  at  first  was  generally  small  in 
quantity  and  high-colored,  but  as  the  animal  recovered  it  became 
abundant  and  clear.     This  was  one  of  the    ymptoms  by  which 


B24  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

the  men,  who  were  attending  the  hogs  at  the  distillery,  ascertained 
that  they  were  recovering.  In  a  large  number  of  cases  the  respir- 
atory organs  appeared  to  be  principally  affected,  and  there  was 
coughing,  wheezing,  and  difficult  respiration.  In  some  instances 
the  animal  lost  the  power  of  squealing,  and  the  larynx  was  dis- 
eased. There  was  frequently  swelling  of  the  tongue  and  bleeding 
from  the  nose.  In  those  cases  where  the  respiratory  organs  were 
the  principal  seat  of  the  disease  there  was  generally  no  diarrhea 
or  dysentery.  In  many  instances  the  disease  appeared  to  be  prin- 
cipally confined  to  the  skin ;  sometimes  the  nose,  the  ear,  or  the 
side  of  the  head  were  very  much  inflamed-^the  ear  swollen  to 
twice  its  usual  thickness.  This  inflammation  would  spread  along 
the  skin  sometimes  over  the  eye,  producing  complete  blindness. 
Sometimes  one  or  more  legs  were  inflamed  and  swollen,  and  the 
inflammation  also  extended  along  the  body.  The  skin,  where  it 
was  inflamed,  was  red  and  swollen.  Some  had  large  sores  on 
their  flanks  or  sides,  from  three  to  six  inches  in  diameter.  In  one 
instance,  at  the  distillery,  the  inflammation  extended  along  the 
fore-leg,  the  foot  became  ulcerated  and  sloughed  off,  and  the 
animal  recovered.  Some  appeared  delirious,  as  if  there  was  in- 
flammation of  the  brain.  Sudden  changes  in  the  weather,  par- 
ticularly from  warm  to  cold,  appeared  to  increase  the  fatality  of 
the  disease." 

The  symptoms,  as  described  by  Dr.  Sutton,  are  similar  to 
those  observed  in  this  vicinity,  and  the  descriptions  already  given 
are  sufficient  to  enable  any  one  to  recognize  the  disease  Avherever 
it  prevails.  It  will  be  noticed  that  there  is  a  very  great  variety 
in  the  symptoms  described,  and  that  they  affect  nearly  every  part 
of  the  animal.  This  would  be  expected  from  the  nature  of  the 
disease  itself,  as  will  be  seen  hereafter. 

Post^nortem  Appearances. — Having  described  the  symptoms  as- 
«^€n  while  the  animal  is  living,  I  will  now  give,  briefly,  the  ap- 
pearances found  on  examination  of  the  bodies  after  death.  In  the 
3ourse  of  our  investigations,  during  the  last  winter  and  spring, 
the  bodies  of  nine  hogs  were  carefully  examined  by  Drs.  G.  L. 
Collins,  J.  W.  C.  Ely,  and  E.  T.  Caswell,  of  Providence,  in 
the  presence  of  several  other  physicians.  A  minute  account  of 
each  cas^  was  prepared  by  Dr.  Collins,  and  published  in  the 
" Transacelons  of  tie  Rhode  Island  Medical  Society,"  for  1861.. 
it  will  be  sufficient  for  the  objects  of  this  paper  to  give  a  brief 


DISEASES  OF  SWINE.  32b 

synopsis  of  the  diseased  appearances  which  were  found  in  these 
examinations. 

Lungs. — In  two  cases  the  hings  were  healthy.  Tn  the  remain- 
ing seven  cases  one  or  both  lungs  were  more  or  less  inflamed, 
having  a  liver-like  appearance,  called  hepatization.  In  some  cases 
the  inflammation  was  more  advanced,  and  the  substance  of  the 
lungs  was  breaking  down  into  a  mass  of  disease.  In  all  cases 
where  the  lungs  were  inflamed  there  was  also  pleurisy,  and  the 
lungs  were  adherent  to  the  walls  of  the  chest,  the  inflammation 
of  the  lungs  and  the  pleurisy  together  constituting  true  pleuro- 
pneumonia. In  two  cases  thA-e  were  tubercles,  or  consumption 
m  the  lungs ;  but  this  is  not  uncommon  in  hogs,  and  is  not  sup- 
posed to  have  any  connection  with  the  special  disease  we  are  con- 
sidering. 

Stomach. — The  stomach  and  the  small  intestines  were  generally 
healthy.  The  stomach  was  frequently  distended  with  an  offensive 
mixture  of  food,  and  in  one  case  the  inner  surface  was  ulcerated 
to  some  extent.  In  two  cases  worms  were  found  in  the  small  in- 
testines; but  this  was  probably  a  mere  accidental  occurrence,  and 
had  no  necessary  connection  with  the  disease. 

Large  Intestines. — The  inner  coat  of  the  large  intestines  was 
generally  inflamed  and  softened,  with  ulcerations  to  a  greater  or 
less  extent,  and  they  were  frequently  so  tender  as  to  be  easily  torn 
with  the  fingers.  On  account  of  their  diseased  condition,  their 
inner  coat  was  frequently  discolored.  The  inflammation  and 
ulceration  of  these  intestines  are  probably  the  principal  cause  of 
the  diarrhea  in  this  disease. 

Kidneys. — These  organs  were,  in  every  case,  much  more  pale 
and  yellow  than  natural ;  this  condition  was  well  marked. 

The  liver  and  bladder  were  generally  healthy.  In  some  cases 
water  was  found  in  the  cavity  of  the  belly  and  of  the  chest,  and 
in  the  membrane  surrounding  the  heart  (heart-case).  In  t\ro 
cases  numerous  minute  purple  spots  were  seen  upon  the  mem- 
brane lining  the  walls  of  the  belly.  The  urine  was  often  changed 
from  the  healthy  condition,  containing  albumen  and  other  dis- 
eased products,  not,  however,  noticeable  to  the  eye.  Ulcers  upon 
the  feet  and  in  the  mouth  were  often  found.  The  brain  was  not 
examined,  as  there  were  no  symptoms  observed  which  seemed  to 
indicate  disease  of  this  organ.  It  may  be,  at  times,  affected,  bio 
l"  Di  obably  more  rarely  so  than  the  other  organs  of  the  body. 


826  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGER'l. 

Such  are  some  of  the  most  important  appearances  which  are 
found  on  examination  of  the  bodies  of  hogs  -vhich  have  died  with 
this  disease.  It  will  be  noticed  that  three  of  the  diseased  con 
ditions  I  have  described  are  prominent,  important,  and  such  as 
would  be  readily  recognized  by  the  most  ignorant  observer.  These 
are,  first,  the  pleurisy  and  inflammation  of  the  lungs ;  second,  the 
inflammation,  ulceration,  and  softening  of  the  inner  coat  of  the 
large  intestines;  and,  third,  the  pale  and  yellowish  color  of  thf 
kidneys.  One  or  more  of  these  diseased  conditions  will  be  found 
in  every  case,  and  in,  perhaps,  a  majority  of  cases,  they  will  all  be 
found  in  the  same  animal. 

Dr.  Sutton,  of  Indiana,  in  the  article  from  which  I  have 
already  quoted,  gives  an  interesting  account  of  the  post  morteni 
appearances  in  hogs  dying  from  this  disease.  He  examined  the 
bodies  of  sixty-seven  hogs,  and  it  is  evident,  from  this  article,  that 
he  had  the  opportunity  of  observing  the  disease  in  a  more  malig- 
nant form  than  it  has  presented  in  this  vicinity.  He  mentions 
every  diseased  condition  that  I  have  described,  and  also  found 
unmistakable  marks  of  similar  disease  in  almost  every  other  organ 
of  the  body. 

With  the  description  already  given  of  symptoms  and  post  mor- 
tem appearances,  most  persons,  even  without  medical  knowledge, 
will  be  able  to  recognize  the  disease.  It  remains  for  us  to  con- 
sider, briefly,  its  nature,  causes,  prevention,  and  treatment. 

Nature  of  the  Disease.— Tha  first  question  which  arises  in  the 
minds  of  most  persons  is  this :  What  is  the  disease  ?  and  the  ques- 
tion is  asked  with  a  special  desire  to  have  it  answered  by  a  definite 
name.  This  can  not  be  done.  There  is  no  name  which  would  con- 
vey, even  to  physicians,  and  certainly  not  to  others,  a  precise  idea 
of  the  disease.  But  though  there  is  no  specific  name  by  which  it 
can  be  called,  the  facts,  as  already  given,  can  not  fail  to  suggest, 
at  least  to  medical  men,  a  correct  idea  of  its  nature.  Sometimes 
in  the  human  subject,  particularly  when  portions  of  the  body  are 
undergoing  the  process  of  inflammation  and  suppuration,  pus  and 
other  diseased  products  are  absorbed,  and,  entering  into  the  circu- 
lation, poison  the  blood  and  produce  that  condition  of  the  system 
known  as  pyssemia.  In  such  cases  the  general  poisoning  of  the 
system  is  shown  by  a  low  form  of  fever,  great  weakness  and  pros- 
txaiion  of  the  vital  powers,  frequently  accompanied  by  vomiting 
and  purging,  and  often  resulting  in  pleurisy,  wi'.'i  inflammation 


DISEASES  OF  SWINE.  S'lT 

and  deposits  of  matter  in  the  substance  of  the  lungs,  superficial 
swellings  and  abscesses,  inflammation  and  suppuration  in  the  joints, 
and  other  diseased  phenomena.  So  in  severe  forms  of  typhus  or 
ship  fever,  and  in  malignant  cases  of  some  other  diseases,  when 
the  whole  system  seems  to  be  filled  with  a  jx>werful  poison  and 
att(irly  prostrated,  the  same  or  similar  effects  are  seen.  So  in  thin 
disease  among  hogs  there  seems  to  be  a  general  poisoning  of  the 
blood,  producing  local  inflammations  and  ulcerations  in  various 
parts  of  the  system,  though  more  frequently  in  some  portions  than 
In  others. 

This,  then,  is  a  general  disease  of  the  whole  system,  resulting 
from  some  poisoning  of  the  blood ;  and  the  pleurisy,  the  inflam- 
mation of  the  lungs,  the  ulceration  of  the  intestines,  the  superficial 
ulcers  and  swellings,  and  other  effects  I  have  described,  are  only 
the  local  effects  or  results  of  the  general  disease.  The  diarrhea, 
which  exists  in  a  majority  of  cases,  and  on  account  of  which  the 
name  of  "  hog  cholera  "  has  been  given  to  the  disease,  is  probably 
caused  by  the  local  inflammation  and  ulceration  of  the  large  intes- 
tines. The  name  "  hog  cholera "  is,  therefore,  entirely  improper, 
as  it  represents  only  one  of  the  several  prominent  symptoms.  The 
disease  might  as  correctly  and  as  incorrectly  be  called  a  "  pleuro- 
pneumonia." 

In  this  connection,  it  is  proper  to  notice  the  similarity  which 
exists  between  this  disease  in  swine  and  some  epidemic  diseases 
which  have  prevailed  among  cattle.  Some  two  thousand  years 
since  a  disease,  to  which  the  name  of  "  murrain  "  was  given,  was 
described  by  Virgil  as  "  a  highly  inflammatory  fever  among  cattle, 
accompanied  with  tumors,  carbuncles,  ulcers,  and  purulent  deposits 
throughout  the  whole  body."  Any  one  who  reads  this  and  other 
descriptions  of  murrain,  as  given  in  the  "  New  American  Cyolo' 
pedia,"  can  not  fail  to  notice  the  striking  similarity  between  tha: 
disease  among  cattle  and  the  disease  among  swine  which  we  sltm 
now  considering.  The  same  is  true  of  the  disease  which  has  causel 
60  much  excitement  in  New  England,  within  the  last  two  years, 
under  the  name  of  "  pleuro-pneumonia."  Its  symptoms  and  post 
mortem  appearances,  so  far  as  described  in  the  reports  I  have  seen 
upon  the  subject,  are  very  similar  to  those  observed  in  the  disease 
among  hogs  which  we  have  examined.  The  only  case  of  the 
disease  called  "pleuro-pneumonia"  that  I  have  seen  was  .n  the 
vicinity  of  Providence,  in  July,  1861.     In  that  case,  in  which  a 


328  DADD  S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

post  mortem  examination  was  made  by  Dr.  Collins,  it  was  the 
unanimous  opinion  of  the  physicians  present  that  there  was  a  re- 
markable similarity  in  the  symptoms  and  appearances  to  those 
observed  in  the  hogs  examined  previously. 

The  conclusion  to  which  I  have  arrived  is,  that  the  "  hog  chol- 
era" I  have  described,  the  "murrain"  of  Virgil  and  of  all  ages 
since,  and  the  "  pleuro-pneumonia  "  of  New  England,  are  similar 
diseases,  having  the  same  general  features,  producing  similar  dis- 
eased changes  in  the  body,  and  are  the  result  of  similar  causes.  If 
u  definite  name  is  required,  the  name  of  "  murrain,"  which  is  de- 
rived from  a  Greek  word  which  means  to  waste  or  to  weaken,  is 
the  best.  The  names  "  hog  cholera  "  and  "  pleuro-pneumonia  "  are 
both  improper,  and  give  very  erroneous  ideas  in  relation  to  the 
disease. 

Causts. — In  this  and  other  similar  diseases  among  animals,  as 
well  as  in  epidemic  diseases  in  the  human  race,  the  universal  ten- 
dency of  the  public  mind  is  to  ascribe  their  propagation  to  conta- 
gion. Dr.  Sutton,  whom  I  have  already  quoted,  says :  "  Although 
this  disease  must  occasionally  have  a  spontaneous  origin,  yet,  when 
once  produced,  it  will  spread  rapidly  by  contagion."  The  investi- 
gations of  the  cattle  disease  in  Massachusetts  in  1860,  and  the  action 
of  the  Legislature  in  regard  to  it,  seem  to  have  been  based  upon 
the  theory  that  the  disease  was  a  "  pleuro-pneumonia  "  only,  and 
that  it  was  contagious. 

If  this  be  an  epidemic  or  epizootic*  disease,  its  causes  are  similar 
in  their  nature  and  operation  to  those  of  other  epidemics.  The 
following,  then,  according  to  my  understanding  of  the  subject,  are 
the  causes  not  only  of  this  disease  among  swine,  bat  also  of  the 
disease  referred  to  among  cattle,  as  well  as  of  epidemics  in  the 
human  race : 

1.  An  epidemic  atmospherical  poison. 

2.  The  local  conditions  or  circumstances  adapted  to  receive  and 
propagate  the  poison  existing  in  the  atmosphere. 

With  regard  to  the  first  cause,  the  atmospherical  poison,  very 
little  is  certainly  known.     It  may  be  an  animal  or  vegetable  exist- 


'  >ne  phrase  "epidemic  disease  among  animals"  is  incorrect,  as  the  word 
"epidemic"  can  properly  be  applied  only  to  diseases  of  the  human  race.  The 
word  '-epizootic"  has  the  same  meaning  with  reference  to  diseases  among  ani- 
mals that  the  word  "epidemic"  has  with  reference  to  diseases  amcr^  men. 


DISEASES  OF  SWINE.  329 

ence,  or  a  chemical  or  electrical  change  in  the  atmosphere.  Nor 
do  we  know  any  thing  of  the  differences  in  the  condition  of  the 
atmosphere  by  which  such  dissimilar  epidemic  and  epizootic  dis- 
eases are  produced  at  different  times.  But,  judging  from  their 
effects,  we  conclude  that  these  primary  causes  of  epidemics  proba- 
bly exist  in  the  atmosphere  •  that  they  progress  over  a  greater  or 
lf-.:!3  extent  of  country,  in  accordance  with  laws  with  which  we  are 
not  acquainted,  and,  lighting  upon  the  earth,  produce  their  effects 
wherever  they  find  the  local  conditions  adapted  to  their  propaga- 
tion. 

The  local  conditions,  or  causes  of  this  disease  among  swine, 
are  more  obvious  and  better  understood.  They  are,  briefly,  im- 
pure air,  arising  from  the  filth  with  which  the  animals  are  sur- 
rounded, the  location  and  want  of  ventilation  of  the  pens  in  which 
they  are  kept,  the  use  of  improper  and  unhealthy  food,  and  the 
want  of  pure  water.  Common  sense  shows  that  cleanliness,  good 
food,  pure  air,  and  pure  water  are  as  important  to  prevent  disease 
in  hogs  as  in  men,  though  the  fact  is  generally  ignored  by  those 
who  have  the  care  of  these  animals.  Another  condition,  though 
not  absolutely  essential  to  produce  the  disease,  has  a  very  great 
influence  in  increasing  its  severity  and  fatality.  It  is  the  crowd- 
ing of  large  numbers  of  animals  together.  It  is  a  well-established 
fact  that  the  severity  and  fatality  of  cholera,  and  of  other  epidem- 
ics in  the  human  family,  is  in  direct  proportion  to  the  density  of 
the  population.  The  coexistence  of  both  the  causes  given — namely, 
the  atmospherical  poison  and  the  local  conditions — is  necessary  for 
the  extensive  development  of  the  disease.  When  both  these  causes 
i\-re  present  in  any  locality,  and  healthy  animals  are  brought  into 
the  locality,  a  portion  of  them,  and  sometimes  all,  will  contract 
the  disease.  But  this  important  fact  is  to  be  remembered,  that 
both  these  causes  may  exist  in  a  locality  whethei  any  animals  are 
present  or  not. 

Perhaps  I  have  said  more  than  some  might  think  necessary  in 
relation  to  the  causes  of  the  disease  ;  but  the  subject  is  of  the  ut- 
most importance  in  its  relations  to  preventive  measures.  If  this 
and  other  similar  diseases  are  not  contagious,  but  arise  from  causes 
which  may,  and  do,  originate  and  exist  wl  oily  independent  of  the 
presence  of  animals,  it  is  manifestly  absurd  to  attempt,  as  has  been 
done  in  some  cases,  to  prevent  and  eradicate  them  by  the  whole- 
<wle  destruction  of  the  animals. 


331  DADD'S  VETERINART  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

jp/  tcention. — Keeping  in  mind  the  causes  of  the  disease  is  1 
have  given  them,  the  measures  necessary  for  prevention  are  ob^  oua, 
and  may  be  stated  in  a  very  few  words.  They  are,  to  remove^  as 
far  as  possible,  the  causes.  The  general  cause  existing  in  the  at- 
mosphere can  not  be  removed,  nor  can  it  be  avoided,  except  by  the 
removal  of  the  animals  beyond  the  limits  of  its  existence,  and  this 
is  not  usually  practicable.  But  the  local  causes  can,  to  a  very 
great  extent,  be  removed,  and  without  these  the  general  cause  can 
not  produce  any  very  serious  results.  The  hogs  can  be  removed 
from  their  filthy  pens  and  can  be  kept  clean  ;  they  can  be  removed 
from  low  ground  to  more  elevated  places ;  they  can  be  separated 
and  isolated  as  far  as  possible  j  they  can  be  allowed  an  abundance 
of  pure  air  and  of  pure  cold  water ;  and  they  can  be  supplied  with 
nourishing,  healthy  food.  In  a  word,  they  can  be  placed  in  the 
conditions  which  common  sense  shows  to  be  essential  to  health, 
whether  of  hogs  or  of  other  animals.  When  this  is  done,  every 
thing  is  done  that  is  necessary  or  possible  for  the  prevention  of 
this  as  well  as  of  other  similar  cliseases. 

Treatment. — In  the  treatment  of  a  disease  of  this  character,  we 
have  little  to  expect  from  the  specific  or  direct  action  of  medicine 
of  any  kind.  The  most  that  we  can  hope  to  do  is  to  support  the 
system  so  as  to  enable  Nature  to  overcome  the  disease.  In  a  hu- 
man being,  with  a  disease  of  a  similar  character,  we  should  first 
remove  the  patient  to  a  healthy  locality,  and  provide  for  an  ample 
supply  of  pure  air  and  gv)od  nursing.  This,  faithfully  done,  would 
be  the  most  important  step  toward  recovery.  We  should  then 
give,  as  the  symptoms  might  require,  beef-tea  or  broths,  milk, 
wine-whey,  brandy,  quinine,  and  other  similar  preparations,  al- 
ways remembering  that  the  object  is  to  sustain  the  animal  powers 
80  as  to  enable  the  system  to  withstand  the  depressing  effects  of 
the  poison  and  free  itself  from  its  presence. 

The  treatment  of  hogs  with  this  disease  must  be  of  a  similar 
character.  Stimulants  and  tonics  of  some  description,  with  plenty 
of  pure  air,  pure  water,  and  suitable  nourishment  must  be  given. 
Chlorate  of  potash,  in  full  doses,  from  its  known  effects  on  the 
human  subject,  has  been  proposed  as  a  remedy,  but  of  its  value  1 
am  unable  to  speak.  Powdered  charcoal  is  undoubtedly  of  some 
value,  when  scattered  freely  about  the  pens  and  given  to  some  ex- 
tent in  the  food.  But,  in  the  severer  cases,  treatment  of  any  kind 
is  generally  unsuccessful,  and  if  successful  would  cost  more  than 


DISEASES  OF  SWINE.  331 

tue  anirual  is  worth.  We  might  succeed,  by  the  use  of  the  reme- 
dies named,  and  by  careful  nursing,  in  prolonging  the  life  of  the 
diseased  hog ;  but  success  of  this  kind  would  hardly  compensate 
the  trouble  and  expense  necessary  to  secure  it.  But  a  large  num- 
ber of  the  milder  cases  will  recover  without  treatment  of  any  kind, 
and  in  this,  as  in  other  epidemics  of  a  similar  nature,  it  will  be 
found  that  the  first  cases  that  occur  will  be  very  severe,  and  will 
nearly  all  prove  fatal ;  while,  after  the  epidemic  has  existed  for  a 
time,  the  disease  will  seem  to  become  more  mild,  and  a  much  larger 
proportion  will  recover.  The  important  fact  to  be  remembered  is, 
that  it  is  for  the  interest  of  the  owner  of  these  animals  to  use  every 
possible  means  to  prevent  the  disease,  as  prevention  is  of  infinitely 
more  importance  to  him  than  treatment ;  but  if  the  disease  becomes 
established,  it  should  be  treated  in  a  rational  manner,  not  forget- 
ting that  Nature,  when  properly  aided,  will  do  infinitely  more  than 
medicine  for  the  cure. 

Note. — The  above  valuable  article  on  "  Hog  Cholera  "  is  from  the  pen  of  Dr. 
E.  M.  Snow  and  is  the  most  reliable  one  ever  published  on  this  disease. 


DR.    DADD'S    REMEDY    FOR    "HOG    CHOLERA." 

Powdered  anthracite  coal 4  pounds. 

Powdered  ginger 1  pound. 

Powdered  sulphur ^  pound. 

-   Salt 7  oz. 

Phosphate  of  lime 1  pound 

Mix. 

Let  each  affected  animal  have  one  handful  of  the  above  mix- 
ture every  day.  Mix  it  in  a  pint  of  dry  oatmeal.  If  the  animal 
refuses  to  eat  it,  liquefy  the  same  with  cow's  milk,  and  give  as  a 
drench. 


fi3i  DADD  S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGEET. 


TRICHINA    SPIRALIS. 


The  American  peojile  have  been  startled  lately  by  the  published 
accounts  of  a  new  and  terrible  disease  in  Germany,  and  especially 
in  Saxony,  which  brings  to  mind  some  of  the  most  dreadful  plagues 
of  Egypt.  The  disease  in  question,  termed  Trichiniasis,  caused 
by  the  ravages  on  the  human  muscle  of  a  minute  worm,  called  Tri- 
CHlNis  Spiralis,  coming  so  close  upon  the  cattle  disease,  did,  in- 


BPISALIS   AND  OVA,   AS  SEEN  IN  THB  MUSCLES  OF  THE  HUMAN   SUBJECT,   HAan- 
FIKD   ABOUT  TWO  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  TIMES. 

deed,  to  the  ignorant,  appear  to  justify  some  of  the  recent  prophecies 
of  Dr.  Gumming,  but  to  the  more  intelligent,  and  especially  to  the 
medical  mind,  it  came  as  an  old  story.  Singularly  enough,  the 
worm  which  is  now  occupying  the  attention  of  German  anatomists 
was  discovered  as  long  ago  as  1835,  by  Professor  Owen.  Both 
Mr.  John  Hilton,  a  demonstrator  of  anatomy  at  Guy's,  and  Mr. 
Thormald,  the  demonstrator  at  St.  Bartholomew's,  had,  two  years 
previously,  observed  small  white  bodies  interspersed  among  the 
muscl«js  of  subjects  under  dissection,  and  that  they  were  of  a  gritty 


DISEASES  OF  SWINE.  335 

character  was  evident  from  the  manner  in  which  they  turned  the 
edges  of  the  knives.  One  of  these  specimens  of  affected  muscle 
was,  in  the  year  mentioned,  given  to  Professor  Owen  by  Mr. 
Paget,  then  a  student,  for  inspection.  These  speckles  the  dis- 
tinguished anatomist  discovered,  under  the  microscope,  to  be  the 
capsule  of  a  very  fine  worm,  which  was  seen  coiled  up  closely 
within  it.  From  its  hair-like  fineness,  its  discoverer  derived  the 
term  Trichina,  and  from  the  spiral  manner  in  which  it  was  invaria- 
bly found  coiled  up  within  its  envelope,  he  added  the  word  Spiralis; 
hence  the  name  by  which  it  is  known. 


.  •lOHINA   SPIBAIIS  IN  PORK,   MAGNIFIED  ABOUT  TWO  HUNDBED   DIAMETEBB. 
AFTER  AN   OBIOINAL  DRAWING  BY   MB.  DBAPEB. 

An  account  of  this  newly-discovered  parasite  was  published  by 
Professor  Owen,  in  the  "  Transactions  of  the  Zoological  Society," 
in  1835,  headed,  "Description  of  a  Microscopic  Entozoon  infest- 
ing the  Muscles  of  the  Human  Bodi/."  This  paper  gave  a  very 
minute  account  of  the  creature,  illustrated  with  drawings,  and  es- 
tablished his  claim  to  be  the  discoverer  of  one  of  our  latest-found 
inhabitants,  which  has  made  such  a  sensation  in  the  Avorld.  The 
discovery  made  much  noise  at  the  time  throughout  Europe,  and 
the  Professor's  paper  drew  the  attention  of  the  anatomists  of  Eu- 
rope to  the  worm.  But  one  or  two  cases  were  recorded  of  the 
presence  of  the  parasite  in  the  human  body,  and  the  matter  re- 
mained in  abeyance  for  some  years,  until  the  German  professors 
again  drew  attention  to  it,  and  completed  our  knowledge  of  its 
method  of  introduction.     Professor  Luschka,  of  Tiibingen,  car- 


334  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

ried  our  knowledge  of  the  worm,  perhaps,  up  to  the  highest  point 
anatomically,  and  in  the  same  year  the  method  of  transmission  of 
the  worm  from  one  animal  to  another  was  made  out  by  a  series  of 
experiments  instituted  by  Herbst  von  Nachrichten.  He  gave 
the  flesh  of  a  hedge-hog,  which  he  knew  to  be  infested  with  tri- 
china, to  young  dogs,  and  speedily  found  that  all  their  voluntary 
muscles  were  full  of  these  worms.  But,  although  this  important 
step  was  made  out,  little  notice  was  taken  of  it.  His  experiment? 
were  repeated  in  Scotland  and  England,  but  the  peculiar  manner 
in  which  the  worm  got  into  the  muscle  was  yet  undiscovered. 

Kenker,  in  1860,  was  lucky  enough  to  supply  this  knowledge. 
The  body  of  a  servant  girl,  who  had  died  with  many  of  the  symp- 
toms of  typhus  fever,  came  under  the  inspection  of  the  anatomist. 
He  found  her  voluntary  muscles  to  be  full  of  trichinae ;  and  upon 
inquiring  into  her  case,  he  found  that  she  had  assisted  in  the  mak- 
ing of  sausages  about  three  weeks  before  she  was  taken  ill,  and 
that  she  had  eaten  some  of  the  raw  meat  a  few  days  before  her  ill- 
ness commenced.  The  butcher  who  had  killed  the  pig,  and  sev- 
eral members  of  the  family,  had  been  affected  in  the  same  manner 
as  the  girl,  but  had  recovered.  The  sausages  and  hams  were  ex- 
amined, and  were  found  to  be  full  of  worms,  encapsuled,  as  it  is 
termed,  or  surrounded  with  an  envelope;  but  in  the  girl  the 
worms  were  found  among  the  muscles,  in  a  free  state. 

From  this  evidence  the  manner  in  which  the  parasite  obtained 
entrance  to  the  human  body  was  fully  made  out.  Pork  (uncooked 
pork)  was  the  vehicle  by  means  of  which  the  parasite  was  enabled 
to  enter  the  human  body.  But,  says  the  reader,  why  should  pork 
only  be  the  means  of  conveying  the  entozoa  to  the  human  body  ? 
The  reason  is  that  the  pig  is  the  only  animal  eaten  by  man  that 
is  partially  a  carnivorous  feeder.  It  is  supposed  that  the  pig  ob- 
tains them  from  dead  rats,  which  are  often  infested  with  these 
worms,  or  other  garbage.  Birds,  although  carrion  feeders,  can 
not,  for  some  unknown  reason,  be  infested  with  the  worms.  In 
the  horse,  calf,  and  the  young  and  old  dog,  says  Dr.  Thudichum, 
the  young  trichinse  are  born,  but  they  can  not  pierce  the  intestines, 
and,  therefore,  can  not  immigrate  into  the  flesh.  Of  course,  it  is 
just  possible  that  the  worm  may  be  conveyed,,  like  the  tape- worm, 
through  the  medium  of  impure  water.  We  are  not  likely  to  drink 
this,  but  it  often  happens  that  fruit  and  vegetables  are  watered 
from  impure  tanks,  into  which  these  creatures  may  have  gjpt. 


DISEASES  OF  SWINE.  335 

It  is  certainly  an  objection  to  the  modern  system  of  watering 
with  liquid  manure,  that  in  this  way  the  tape-worm,  and  possibly 
the  trichina,  may  find  their  way  on  to  the  vegetables  which  we 
eat,  and  in  this  way  we  may  be  receiving  noxious  intestinal  worms 
into  our  system.  For  instance,  some  peoj)le  water  their  strawber- 
ries with  liquid  manure,  not  thinking  of  the  little  serpent  that 
may  be  hidden  in  the  fruit.  It  is  now  known  that,  after  entering 
the  alimentary  canal,  the  parasite  finds  its  breeding-ground,  and 
brings  forth  immense  numbers  of  young,  which  immediately  begin 
to  make  their  M^ay  through  the  coats  of  the  intestines  and  migrate 
into  the  muscles. 

It  is  a  singular  fact  that  these  disagreeable  adventurers  always 
select  the  voluntary  muscles,  or  those  which  are  moved  at  our  will. 
The  heart  and  kidneys,  and  those  parts  of  the  viscera  which  act 
independently  of  the  will,  are  scarcely  ever  aifected.  It  is,  in- 
deed, a  matter  of  dispute  how  the  worms  get  distributed  so  gen- 
<»rally  over  the  body,  some  anatomists  asserting  that  they  make 
their  way  directly  by  boring,  as  the  ship- worm  bores  through 
a  piece  of  timber ;  but  Dr.  Thudichum,  who  was  appointed,  in 
1 864,  to  investigate  the  subject,  by  the  medical  officer  of  the  Privy 
Council,  asserts  that  they  enter  the  circulation,  and  are,  in  this 
manner,  distributed  equally  over  every  part  of  the  body.  To  use 
his  words:  "Arrived  in  the  capillaries  (terminal  blood-vessels), 
they  penetrate  their  two-coated  walls,  separating  the  fibers  as  a  man 
separates  the  branches  of  a  hedge,  when  creeping  through  it,  and 
are  now  either  at  once  in  muscular  tissue,  their  proper  feeding- 
ground,  or  get  into  inhospitable  tissues  and  cavities,  and  tlierc 
either  perish  or  escape  from  them  by  a  renewed  effort  at  locomo- 
tion, enter  the  circulation  a  second  time,  and  ultimately  perish 
in  the  lungs,  or  arrive  in  some  muscle  to  obtain  a  late  asylum." 

This  hypothesis,  certainly,  seems  the  most  reasonable,  as  it  is  in 
agreement  with  the  known  means  by  which  ether  entozoa  migrate. 
Arr»  ved  at  the  muscular  tissues,  it  seems  again  questionable  whether 
the  worm  attacks  the  muscle  only,  or  whether  it  is  not  deposited 
in  the  intervals  which  occur  between  the  bundles  of  muscles. 
Leuckhart  says  they  penetrate  the  sarcolemma,  and  eat  the 
muscular  fiber  itself.  Dr.  Thudichum  says  that  he  has  never 
seen  but  once  the  worm  in  the  muscle,  but  always  outside  of  it. 
It  IS  certainly  a  strange  fact  that,  in  many  cases,  persons  attacked 
with  tri<?^iniasis  have  not  only  perfectly  recovered  from  its  effects, 


336  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

but  have  become  as  strong  as  ever.  It  could  scarcely  have  lia|  - 
pened  that  the  muscles  of  these  patients  had  been  fed  upon  by 
vast  colonies  of  worms,  which  would  have  inevitably  destroyed 
thera  beyond  repair.  The  probability  is  that  the  worm  finds  its 
way  into  all  the  tissues.  Between  the  third  and  fourth  week  aft  it 
immigration,  the  trichina  has  become  full-grown,  and  now  it  be-^ 
gins  to  prepare  its  capsule.  It  becomes  fixed  to  the  spot  in  wlilcb 
it  is,  solid  matter  is  deposited  around  it,  and,  curled  up,  it  lies  im- 
movable in  its  plastic  capsule,  and  dies  unless  received  again  into 
the  alimentary  canal  of  another  animal,  which,  in  this  case,  of 
course,  it  never  does.  The  presence  of  these  encapsuled  trichinae 
in  the  muscles  may  cause  irritation,  but  that  speedily  subsides; 
and  it  is  pretty  clear  that  many  persons  suffer  little  harm  from 
them  while  thus  curled  up,  as  they  have  been  found  in  the  bodies 
of  subjects  that  have  been  dissected,  and  whose  previous  history 
gave  no  evidence  of  their  existence. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  disease,  when  severe,  puts  on  many  of 
the  characteristic  symptoms  of  well-known  diseases.  The  fever 
caused  by  the  presence  of  the  parent  worms  in  the  intestines  may 
be,  as,  indeed,  it  often  has  been,  taken  for  gastric  fever.  Then, 
again,  when  the  young  worms  are  immigrating  into  the  muscles, 
the  most  excruciating  agony  seizes  the  patient.  He  can  not  move 
a  muscle  without  the  utmost  pain,  and  he  lies  generally  upon  his 
back,  with  his  legs  a  little  apart,  covered  with  perspiration.  The 
face  and  neck  become  tumid  Avith  a  dropsical  effusion,  which 
generally  extends  to  the  legs  and  abdomen.  An  attack  of  acute 
rheumatic  fever  appears  to  have  seized  the  individual,  but  for  the 
want  of  the  heart  symptoms.  Again,  the  disease  stimulates  chol- 
era and  typhus,  and,  indeed,  poisoning,  in  many  of  its  symptoms ; 
but  those  who  have  seen  a  genuine  case  of  trichiniasis^can  not  be 
deceived,  as  the  whole  symptoms  present  are  consistent  with  no 
other  disease.  In  cases  of  doubt,  a  piece  of  the  living  muscle  has 
been  excised  from  the  biceps  muscle  of  the  arm ;  and  this  test  is 
almost  certain  to  be  conclusive,  as  the  worm  is  distributed,  in 
severe  cases,  in  profusion  through  every  voluntary  muscle  of  the 
entire  body. 

Dr.  Thudichum,  speaking  of  a  child  who  died  of  this  disease, 
says,  in  his  report  to  Mr.  Simon:  "One  preparation  from  the 
biceps  muscle  of  a  child,  four  and  a  half  years  of  age,  which  died 
on  the  seventy-ninth  day,  contained  the  astounding  number  of 


DISEASES  OF  SWINK. 

fift)'-eight.  Such  a  preparation  was  estimated  to  weigli  onc-liilb 
o^.  a  grain,  and,  therefore,  every  grain  of  muscle  contained,  on  an 
average,  one  hundred  trichinsc.  Now,  assuming  the  weight  of  the 
muscles  of  an  adult  to  be  only  forty  pounds,  and  assuming  him  to 
be  a  victim  of  trichiniasis,  and  the  parasites  equally  distribpted 
throughout  his  body,  he  would  contain  upward  of  twenty-eight 
millions  of  these  animals."  The  agony  of  this  plague  of  worm? 
attacking  the  fine  fibers  of  nerves  distributed  throughout  the 
frame  can,  from  this  estimate,  be  thoroughly  understood  in  the. 
fever  and  weakness  caused  by  the  destruction  of  fiber,  and  the 
irritation  is  accounted  for  with  equal  ease. 

The  progress  of  the  disease  is  pretty  much  as  follows :  During 
the  first  stage,  which  lasts  from  a  week  to  ten  days,  there  is  great 
intestinal  disturbance,  caused  by  the  presence  of  the  parent  trich- 
inae in  the  intestines,  giving  rise,  in  severe  cases,  to  alarming  diar- 
rhea, as  may  be  expected.  The  second  stage  lasts  a  fortnight  or 
three  weeks,  seldom  longer.  During  this  time  the  immigration 
oi'  the  young  trichinae,  hatched  in  the  intestinal  passage,  is  taking 
place;  hence  the  agony  throughout  the  body,  the  dropsy  in  the 
face,  the  hurried  breathing,  and  the  fever.  Although  the  dropsy 
becomes  genuine,  it  in  no  manner  depends  upon  kidney  disease, 
as  that  organ  is  never  affected  in  any  way.  In  the  fourth  week 
the  immigration  has  entirely  ceased,  and  the  worm  is  beginning 
to  be  incapsulated.  From  this  time  the  patient  begins  to  recover 
the  appetite  improves,  the  pains  become  less,  and,  unless  compli- 
cations arise,  as  in  other  severe  fevers,  the  patient  gradually  passes 
into  a  state  of  health.  Death  may,  however,  take  place  at  an  • 
stage  of  the  disease.  At  the  great  outbreak  of  this  disease  whic. 
took  place  at  Calbe,  in  Germany,  it  was  observed  to  happer 
the  fifth,  eighth,  fourteenth,  twenty-first,  and  forty-second  \ 
of  the  illness.  Death  generally  is  brought  about  by  exhajsti 
The  exhaustive  diarrhea  which  sometimes  occurs,  together  witi»  the 
inability  to  take  food,  and  the  terrible  agony,  easily  explains  thifc 
termination. 

The  difficulty  connected  with  the  treatment  of  this  disease  is 
consequent  upon  the  impossibility  of  knowing  what  is  really  the 
matter  in  its  early  stages,  when  treatment  is  alone  useftil.  In 
regular  outbreaks  of  the  disease  the  physician  is  led  to  suspect  the 
evil  in  the  beginninj^;,  and  then  it  can  be  cut  short  by  destroying 
aprl  expelling  the  pa  -ent  worms  before  they  have  had  time  to  ool- 
22 


338  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

onize  the  intestines  with  their  young.  But  at  the  commence  nu  at 
of  an  outbreak,  or  in  isolated  cases,  the  symptoms  are  too  like 
thr.i-  ^  of  gastric  fever  to  lead  to  a  suspicion  of  the  real  nature  o' 
the  iTection. 

A  prevention  is  far  better  than  cure,  and,  happily,  this  can  be 
easily  accomplished.  As  pork  is  the  only  means  by  which  the  par- 
asite can  ei  .er  the  human  frame,  we  have  only  to  take  care  that  we 
eat  it  tho:  jughly  cooked.  The  Englishman  has  a  very  strong  prej- 
udice in  ^,Avor  of  doing  his  leg  of  pork  well,  however  much  he  may 
like  beef  and  mutton  underdone.  The  Germans  are  apt  to  suffer 
despercte  outbreaks  of  this  disease  because  they  are  fond  of  emoked 
sausages,  in  which  no  heat  is  applied  to  the  meat.  The  severity 
of  the  infection  depends,  indeed,  upon  the  amount  ^f  cooking  to 
which  the  trichinous  meat  has  been  subjected,  and  the  order  in 
which  it  is  affected  is  as  follows :  Raw  meat,  smoked  sausages,  cer- 
velat  sausages,  raw  smoked  ham,  raw  smoked  sausage,  fried  sau- 
mge,  fried  meat-balls,  brawn,  pickled  pork,  blood  sausage,  boiled 
fork.  As  few  people  are  likely  to  eat  raw  pork,  there  seems  little 
janger  to  be  apprehended  from  the  most  dangerous  item  in  the 
list ;  but  it  is  well  to  know  that  boiled  pork  is,  in  all  cases,  the 
most  harmless.  The  power  of  the  worm  to  resist  heat  and  cold  is 
very  remarkable.  They  have  been  frozen  to  five  degrees  below 
centigrade,  and  been  thawed  to  life  again.  Ordinary  vermifuges 
are  powerless  against  them.  Their  vitality  is  as  great  as  the  wheel- 
worm,  which  seems  almost  indestructible.  Let  our  friends,  then, 
take  care  never  to  touch  the  smallest  portion  of  underdone  porJc 
and  beware  of  German  sausages,  bolognas,  and  things  of  the  sanu 
kind,  as  they  would  beware  of  an  assassin. 

Before  the  discovery  of  the  new  disease,  trichiniasis,  seven, 
epidemics  occurred  in  Germany,  which  very  much  puzzled  the 
physicians.  In  two  or  three  cases  it  was  supposed  that  the  per- 
sons suffering  had  been  poisoned  in  some  mysterious  manner,  and 
judicial  inquiries  were  instituted  without  any  result.  More  gen- 
erally, however,  the  outbreaks  were  a?cribed  to  rheumatic  fever, 
or  typhus  fever.  Itwas  observed,  at  the  time  of  their  occurrence, 
that  the  outbreaks  were  confined  to  particular  families,  regiments, 
or  villages.  The  symptoms,  then  obscure,  are  now  recognized  as 
those  of  trichiniasis ;  indeed,  there  seems  to  be  little  doubt  that 
they  WR^e  outbreaks  of  this  disorder.  They  all  occurred  in  the 
fpring  of  ihe  year,  the  time  of  pig-sticking  in  Germany,  and  the 


DISEASES  OF  SWINE.  339 

very  characteristic  swelling  of  the  face,  in  the  absence  of  any  kid- 
ney disease,  was  observed. 

The  mortality  arising  from  this  disease  is  in  direct  ratio  of  the 
severity  of  the  attack,  and  this  depends  upon  the  number  of 
worms  which  may  chance  to  be  introduced  into  the  body.  One 
pig  is  sufficient  to  cause  an  epidemic  far  and  wide ;  indeed,  many 
of  those  which  have  ravaged  Germany  within  these  last  three  or 
four  years  have  been  traced  to  one  trichinous  pig.  At  the  out- 
break at  Planeu  one  person  died  out  of  thirty  attacked.  At  Calbe, 
where  the  epidemic  was  more  severe,  seven  persons  died  out  of 
thirty-eight  infected ;  at  Hettstiidt,  where  one  trichinous  pig  in- 
fected one  hundred  and  fifty-eight  persons,  twenty-eight  died. 
From  these  facts  the  formidable  nature  of  the  infection  may  bt 
gathered. 

If  sudden  epidemics  can  be  traced  to  the  action  of  an  obscure 
worm,  may  we  not  hope  that  many  of  our  disorders,  now  obscure 
in  their  origin,  and,  consequently,  unmanageable  and  incurable, 
will  in  time  come  to  light,  and  be  amenable  to  treatment  ?  Pos- 
sibly some  more  subtle  power  even  than  the  microscope  will  be 
discovered,  and  give  us  the  power  of  scrutinizing  diseased  condi- 
tions, and  finding  out  the  agents  so  stealthily  at  work  in  bringing 
the  human  machine  to  misery  and  premature  death. 

The  following  very  interesting  and  valuable  article  on  the  sub- 
ject of  Trichina  is  translated  from  the  German,  expressly  for  this 
work,  by  E.  F.  Brown,  V.  S.,  of  Chicago : 

The  Trichina  (Trichina  Spiralis)  was  known  to  exist  as  early  as 
1832,  and  in  1835  received  its  name  from  Mr.  Owen.  It  was 
considered,  until  the  year  1860,  to  be  perfectly  harmless.  Autop- 
sies revealed  the  parasite  as  a  very  small  speck,  surrounded  by  a 
white,  chalky  capsule.  In  the  Infirmary  of  Dresden,  the  servant 
girl  of  a  butcher  died  after  suffering  violent  pains  in  the  muscles. 
The  autopsy  revealed  numerous  trichinae  not  surrounded  by  cap- 
sules, hence  they  were  not  to  be  seen  with  the  naked  eye.  After 
this,  closer  inquiries  were  made  into  the  nature  and  habits  of  the 
trichinae.  The  result  of  the  investigations  proved  that  the  trichinae 
are  generated  in  the  hog,  and  introduced  into  our  system,  not  with 
the  fat  or  liver,  but  with  the  lean  pork ;  and  they  are  sometimes 
found  in  capsules,  and  at  others  without  them,  and  that  the  cap- 
sules are  very  soon  destroyed,  after  their  introduction  into  the 


340 


DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 


system,  and  thus  the  inclosed  parasites  are  set  free.  The  hyber- 
nated  trichinae  grow  very  fast,  so  that  they  attain,  in  about  three 
days,  twice  their  original  length,  and  in  the  same  ratio  alter  their 
appearance.  Nothing  of  their  generative  organs  was  then  known, 
but  now  the  creatures  can  be  plainly  distinguished  as  male  and 
female.     They  enter  into  very  productive  marriages,  because  one 


Explanation.— Fig.  1,  Trichinous  pork,  as  seen  with  the  naked  eye ;  2,  Young  minute  trichmso. 
roving  about,  magnified  forty  diameters;  3,  Trichinte  in  capsules,  magnified  forty  diame- 
ters; 4,  Female  trichina  ;  5,  Male  trichma,  magnified  two  hundred  diameters,  (a)  Head  ;. 
(6)  the  tail.  Near  the  female  trichina  is  seen  the  ova  and  their  young  ones,  just  escaped 
from  the  genital  organs. 


female  brings  forth,  in  a  very  short  time,  hundreds  of  live  young 
ones.  These  new-born  trichinae  do  not  resemble  their  producers, 
for  they  are  without  any  generative  organs.  They  are  verj^  much 
like  the  parasite  when  first  introduced  into  our  system  with  the 
pork. 

The  young  trichinae  remain  not  at  home,  like  the  old  ones,  but 


LISEASES  OF  SWINE.  341 

at  once  commence  lo  travel.  They  break  through  the  intestines 
and  enter  the  muscles  known  as  the  voluntary,  where  they  con- 
tinue their  march  until  they  have  found,  in  the  finest  fibers,  a  place 
fit  for  their  encapsulation.  On  their  journey  to  such  locality  they 
can  not  be  seen  with  the  naked  eye,  but  only  by  means  of  a  micro- 
scope. They  wander  in  the  shape  as  presented  in  fig.  2,  straight, 
or  slightly  bent.  After  they  arrive  at  their  destination,  they  curve 
or  bend  I  hemselves  in  various  ways,  and  thus  make  their  way  into 
the  flesh  fibers,  and  then  they  roll  themselves  up  in  their  spindle- 
formed  nest,  which  is  spiral  in  form,  like  a  watch-spring.  The 
mass  around  the  nest  is,  in  the  beginning,  soft  and  transparent, 
but  by  degrees  it  becomes  converted  into  a  hard,  impenetrable  shell. 
These  shells  can  be  seen  in  the  flesh  with  the  naked  eye.  They 
are  the  fine,  white  spots  as  seen  in  fig.  1.  The  trichina  lives  now 
in  a  perfectly-closed  sac,  or  lemon-formed  capsule,  and  is  perfectly 
harmless.  In  this  state,  it  seems  that  the  trichina  can  exist  in  a 
latent  state,  for  many  years.  From  some  cause  or  other,  the  chalk 
csipsules  get  dissolved,  and  the  hybernating  parasites  (until  now 
without  any  genital  organs)  become  males  and  females,  and  produce 
young  ones,  who  live  and  act  just  as  their  predecessors — namely, 
generate,  travel,  etc.  Accordingly,  we  find  in  the  human  and 
animal  body  (mostly  in  the  hog)  male  and  female  trichinae,  and 
those  in  the  stomach  either  straight  or  slightly  bent.  These  new- 
born trichinae,  in  the  stomach  and  intestines,  very  soon  become 
muscle  trichinae,  to  be  encapsuled,  like  the  hermit  in  his  cell. 

Every  trichina  is  pointed  at  the  mouth  (a)  and  rounded  at  the 
other  end  (6),  the  pelvis.  Between  both  openings  is  the  gullet  and 
iiatestines.  The  female  trichina  is  about  an  eighth  of  an  inch  long, 
and  has  in  its  hind  part  (6)  a  bag  containing  about  sixty  or  eighty 
balls  (the  ovary  with  eggs).  Connected  is  a  pipe  conveying  the 
trichinae,  which  come  from  the  ova  as  live  parasites,  by  the  vagina 
How  long  the  parent  can  exist  and  generate  can  not  be  told,  thougL 
it  is  supposed  that  it  exists  for  three  or  four  weeks  after  giving 
birth  to  the  offspring.  The  male  trichina  is  about  half  as  large  as 
the  female,  and  on  its  posterior  end  (6)  is  a  prominence  divided 
into  two  flaps.  His  anterior  construction  shows  the  spermatic  ves- 
sels. The  new-born  trichinae  without  genitals  are  only  to  be  seen 
when  well  magnified.  They  are  very  small,  and  are  those  which, 
after  penetrating  the  intestines  and  the  cellular  texture  of  the  ah- 
dome.u  and  cavity  of  the  chest,  enter  the  muscles,  to  be  encai)3uled. 


342  DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGER? 

The  < raveling  trichinae  (fig.  2)  grow  very  fast  on  their  jonrnev 
Finding  food  on  their  way,  they  roll  themselves  up  just  as  th**/ 
are  abcufc  becoming  encapsulod.  In  the  course  of  a  few  \yp^^--  .  ,■» 
parasite  has  almost  attained  its  full  length,  but,  not  havin^^  an) 
generative  organs,  it  can  not  multiply.  It  is  supposed  that  the 
encapsulated  trichinae  can  live  for  several  years,  whereas  thjc  parents 
die  in  about  six  or  eight  weeks. 

It  is  not  denied  that  the  trichinae  are  dangerous  to  the  human 
subject,  but  the  danger  only  occurs  when  the  parasites  are  very 
numerous  in  the  intestines  and  muscles.  It  is  certain  that  a  very 
few  small  pieces  of  trichinous  pork  can  introduce  a  great  many 
males  and  females  into  the  system,  that  in  a  few  days  may  send 
millions  of  young  parasites  into  our  muscles.  The  more  trichin- 
ous food  is  eaten,  and  the  more  those  parasites  are  introduced 
into  the  system,  and  the  longer  they  remain  there,  the  greater  must 
be  the  suffering  and  danger.  The  parts  affected  or  visited  by  the 
trichinae  are  the  stomach,  intestines,  and  muscles ;  and  if  this  para,- 
site  is  once  introduced  in  the  animal  system,  it  produces  an  incur- 
able disease,  for  which  there  is  no  remedy.  It  is  well  for  those 
who  are  fond  of  pork  to  be  very  cautious,  and  cook  it  thoroughly, 
be»:ause,  if  wf  U  cocked,  the  death  of  the  parasite  is  sure. 


A  LIST  OF   FLUID   EXTRACTS, 

BBCENTLY  INTRODUCED  INTO  VETERINARY  PRACTIC* 

By  G.  H.  DADD,  V.  S., 

WITH  INSTRUCTION  REGARDING  THEIR  ACTION,  AND 
THE  QUANTITY  TO  BE  ADMINISTERED. 


rf^HE  introduction  of  medicines,  in  the  form  of  Fluid  Ex- 
I-  TRACTS,  for  the  treatment  of  diseases  incidental  to  domestio 
aaimals  is  considered  a  very  great  improvement  over  the  old 
method  of  drenching  by  the  pint  or  quart,  to  the  great  disgust  of 
the  patient  as  well  as  the  practitioner,  and  the  great  danger  attend- 
ing the  administration  of  a  large  quanty  of  fluid  which  was  neces- 
sary when  crude  materials  were  used.  In  the  use  of  fluid  extracts 
all  danger  is  obviated  and  much  labor  saved,  for  the  doses  are 
quite  small,  rarely  exceeding  one  fluid  ounce.  This  can  be  merely 
placed  on  the  tongue,  the  animal's  head  being  slightly  elevated, 
and  he  swallows  it  without  any  difficulty  or  resistance. 

The  fluid  extracts  bear  an  exact  relation  to  the  crude  materials — 
that  is,  ounce  for  ounce — yet,  from  a  variety  of  circumstances,  they 
may  vary  slightly  from  this  standard.  It  is,  however,  the  inton« 
tion  of  the  manufacturer  to  completely  exhaust  the  active  principle 
of  the  crude  material  and  render  the  medicine  uniform  in  strength. 
The  fluid  extracts  used  by  the  author  are  manufactured  by  Messrs. 
Garrison  &  Co.,  manufacturing  chemists,  of  Chicago.  They  con- 
duct their  evaporations  at  a  very  low  temperature,  by  means  of  ai'. 
improved  steam  bath,  and  use  only  select  drugs,  thereby  prevent- 
ing the  possibiliiy  of  adulteration.  I  have  used  large  quantitiea 
of  medicine  manu  Pictured  by  the  above-named  firm,  and  find  them 

(343) 


DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

equal  if  not  superior  to  any  in  the  market;  therefore  I  do  not 
hesitate  to  recommend  them  as  efficient  and  reliable  medicine.s. 
The  doses  here  recommended  apply  to  both  horses  and  cattle. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Chamomile. 

{Ant?iemi3  Nobilis.) 

This  is  a  valuable  tonic,  and  is  used  in  cases  of  derangement  c' 
the  digestive  organs.     Dose,  from  two  to  four  drachms. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Arnica. 

(^Leopards-bane.) 

Arnica  is  chiefly  used  in  veterinary  practice  as  an  extern  rfl  ap- 
plication in  the  treatment  of  wounds,  sprains,  and  bruises.  It  ia 
prepared  as  follows : 

Fluid  extract  of  arnica 4  oi. 

Proof  spirits  (equal  parts  of  water  and  alcohol  ...   1  pint. 
Mix. 

Apply  a  portion  to  the  affected  part  two  or  three  times  daily. 
Fluid  Extract  of  Wormwood. 

[Artemisia  Absinthium.) 

This  is  used  as  an  anthelmintic  for  the  expulsion  of  worms. 
The  dose  is  one  ounce  (fluid),  to  be  given  every  morning  for  a 
week,  just  before  feeding-time.  It  not  only  has  a  tendency  to  ex- 
pel worms,  but  gives  tone  to  the  digestive  organs,  and  corrects  a 
morbid  appetite. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Pleurisy  Root. 

[Asclepias  Tuberosa.) 

This  is  used  in  pleurisy  and  irritable  sore  throat.  Dose,  foui 
drachms,  night  and  morning.  The  powdered  root  enters  into  the 
composition  of  some  of  the  most  celebrated  cough  powders 

Fluid  Extract  of  Male  Fern. 

[Aspidium  Filix  Mas.) 

This  is  the  celebrated  remedy  for  the  treatment  of  taj>e-worm; 
▼hich  is  sometimes  to  be  found  in  the  intestines  of  young  colta. 


LI81  OF  FLUID  EXTRACTS.  845 

Doee^  four  drachms,  to  be  given  every  morning,  on  an  empt^ 
stomach,  for  six  or  eight  successive  days,  and  longer  if  necessary 

Fluid  Extract  of  Buchu. 

{Barosma  Crenata.) 

This  is  used  exclusively  for  the  treatment  of  diseases  of  the 
urinary  organs,  retention  of  the  urine,  and  for  the  treatment  of 
the  various  forms  of  dropsy.  Its  direct  action  is  diuretic,  yet  it 
also  gives  tone  to  the  parts  on  which  it  acts.  Dose,  from  four  to 
eight  drachms.  Should  an  animal  be  suffering  from  retention  of 
the  urine,  the  diuretic  action  of  the  buchu  may  be  augmented  by 
adding  to  it  a  small  quantity  (equal  parts)  of  sweet  spirits  of  niter. 
For  the  treatment  of  spasm  at  the  neck  of  the  bladder,  add  to  the 
dose  of  buchu  an  equal  quantity  of  tincture  of  assafetida. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Indiax  Hemp  (Foreign). 

( Cannabis  Indicus  Sativus.) 

This  medicine  acts  as  a  narcotic  and  antispasmodic.  Its  use  ia 
indicated  in  all  diseases  attended  with  pam  and  restlessness,  but  ia 
chiefly  used  for  the  treatment  of  tetanus  or  locked-jaw.  Dose, 
two  drachms,  to  be  repeated  as  occasion  may  require. 

Fluid  Extract  op  Prince's  Pine. 

(Pipaissewa.) 

Prince's  pine  is  a  very  excellent  tonic  and  diuretic  in  chronic 
diseases  cf  the  urinary  organs,  and  has  been  used  with  much  suc- 
cess in  cases  of  local  dropsy  of  the  limbs,  known  as  swelled  legs. 
Dose,  from  four  to  six  drachms. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Black  Snakeroot. 

( Cimicifuga  Raeemosa.) 

This  extract  is  considered  a  valuable  agent  for  the  treatment  of 
spasmodic  affections,  which  arise  in  consequence  of  derangemeni 
)f  some  portion  of  the  nervous  system.  It  is  an  efficient  remedj 
in  hysteria. 


346  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

Fluid  Extract  op  Colchicum, 

(Oolehicum  Autumnale.) 

This  extract  is  prepared  from  the  roots  and  seeds  of  the  pl&nt 
It  is  celebrated  for  the  treatment  of  rheumatism,  inflammatory 
diseases  of  the  joints,  and  inter-articular  lameness.  Dose,  one 
drachm,  two  or  three  times  per  day. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Yellow  Jessamine. 

{Gelseminum  Sempervirens.) 

This  agent  is  used  as  a  sedative  in  the  treatment  of  pleurisy  and 
pneumonia  in  the  early  or  acute  stage.  It  is  also  a  powerful  febri- 
fuge, hence  it  is  indicated  in  all  acute  fevers.  It  entirely  dis- 
penses with  use  of  the  fleam.     Dose,  from  one  to  three  drachms. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Witch-hazel. 

[Hamamelis  Virginica.) 

Witch-hazel  is  used  as  a  local  astringent  in  the  treatment  of 
"bog  and  blood  spavin."     It  is  prepared  for  use  as  follows : 

Fluid  extract  of  witch-hazel 6  oz. 

Proof  spirits 1  pint. 

Mix. 

Apply  a  portion  twice  daily. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Hops. 

[Humulus  Lupulus.) 

This  preparation  of  hops  is  used  as  a  tonic  in  general  debility, 
and  as  a  narcotic  in  diseases  of  the  nervous  system.  It  is  a  relia- 
ble remedy  to  induce  sleep  and  relieve  pain.  Dose,  from  two  to 
four  drachms,  to  be  repeated  as  occasion  seems  to  require. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Golden  Seal. 

[Hydrastit  Canademia.) 

The  golden  seal  is  a  pure  tonic,  and  its  use  is  indicated  in  all 
cases  of  debility,  loss  of  appetite,  derangement  of  the  digestive 
j>rgaus,  and  torpidity  of  the  liver.  Dose,  from  two  to  foul 
drachms. 


U8T  OF  FLUID  EXTRACTS.  347 

/ 

Fluid  Extraot  of  Sassafras. 

All  the  preparations  of  sassafras  are  more  or  less  alterative. 
The  fluid  extract  is  used  in  view  of  purifying  the  blood  in  diseasee 
of  the  skin,  and  in  cases  of  chronic  rheumatism.  Dose,  from  foui 
to  six  drachms. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Culver's  Root. 

[Leptandra  Virginica.) 

This  is  employed,  in  the  author's  practice,  as  a  substitute  fot 
calomel,  in  the  treatment  of  acute  and  chronic  diseases  of  the  liver 
Dose,  from  two  to  four  drachms. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Lobelia. 

Lobelia  is  a  very  valuable  antispasmodic,  and  is  useful  in  dis- 
eases of  a  spasmodic  character.  The  author  has  used  it,  with  great 
success,  in  obstinate  cases  of  spasmodic  colic.    Dose,  two  drachms. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Bayberry. 

{Myrica  Cerifera.) 

Bayberry  is  successfully  used  as  a  stimulant  and  astringent  in 
scours,  diarrhea,  and  super-purgation.  Dose,  two  drachms,  to  be 
administered  in  a  small  quantity  of  milk  porridge. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Poppy-heads. 

iPapaver  Somni/eriiim.) 

This  is  used  as  a  narcotic,  in  all  cases  that  seem  to  require  the 
exhibition  of  opium.  It  mitigates  pain,  induces  sleep  and  rest, 
and  is  much  safer  than  crude  opium.  Dose,  from  two  to  six 
lirachms. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Poke-root. 

[Phitolacca  Decandra.) 

This  is  used  as  an  alterative  in  a  disease  occurring  among  cows, 
known  as  "  garget,"  or  "  caked  udder."  Dose,  from  two  to  four 
drachms. 


348  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SimGERT. 

Fluid  Extraot  of  Matioo. 

{Piper  Angustifolium.) 

This  is  used  as  a  styptic  to  bleeding  wounds,  internal  hemor- 
rhages, and  chronic  diarrhea.     Dose,  from  four  to  eight  drachms. 

Fluid  Extractt  op  Cubebs. 

This  is  a  very  valuable  agent  for  the  treatment  of  leucorrhea 
gleet,  nasal  gleet,  or  discharges  from  mucous  surfaces.  Dose,  from 
three  to  six  drachms. 

Fluid  Extbact  of  Black  Peppee. 

{Piper  Nigrum.) 

This  is  a  carminative  and  stimulant  to  the  digestive  organs, 
and  is  often  used  successfully  in  the  treatment  of  stomach  stag- 
gers.    Dose,  from  two  to  four  drachms. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Mandrake. 

{Podophyllum  Peltatum.) 

Mandrake  is  now  used  as  a  laxative  and  cathartic,  in  lieu  of 
aloes.  About  one  ounce  will  usually  purge  a  horse,  if  followed 
up  by  sloppy  bran-mashes. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Bloodroot. 

{Sanguinaria  Canadensis.) 

This  is  used  as  an  escharotic  in  the  treatment  of  foul  ulcers, 
and  fungus  growths.  It  is  used,  also,  as  a  gargle  in  suppurati^'e 
laryngitis,  croup,  putrid  sore  throat,  etc.  The  gargle  is  prepared 
as  follows: 

Fluid  extract  of  bloodroot 4  oz. 

Vinegar 1  pt. 

Mix. 

It  is  applied  to  the  mouth  and  throat  by  means  of  a  spongy 
afiBzed  to  a  piece  of  rattan  or  whalebone. 


ust  of  fluid  extracts.  349 

Fluid  Extract  op  Valeeian. 

(  Valerian  Officinalit.) 

This  is  a  very  useful  antispasmodic,  and  its  use  is  indicated  In 
all  cases  marked  by  irregular  nervous  action  and  hysterical  affetv 
tians.     Dose,  four  drachms. 

Fluid  Extract  op  Gingeb. 

{Zimiberia  Officinalit.) 

Fluid  extract  of  ginger  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  diffusible 
stimulants  to  be  found  in  the  whole  materia  medica.  The  Ja- 
maica ginger  is  preferable  to  any  other;  it  is  used  in  cases  of  indi- 
gestion, flatulency,  etc.     Dose,  from  three  to  six  drachms. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Ginger  enters  into  the  composition  of  the  cele- 
brated colic  drench,  used  by  the  author  of  this  work  and  hia 
students,  during  a  period  of  twenty-five  years,  with  marked  suc- 
cess.    The  following  is  the  formula  : 

Fluid  extract  of  ginger )        ,  i  ii.  n   -j 

Fluid  extract  of  golden  seal..  |  ®^^^ ^  ^^-  *'"^- 

Hyposulphite  of  soda 6  oz. 

Dose,  four  ounces  (fluid)  every  four  hours,  until  relief  is  ob- 
fained. 

Remedy  pob  Wounds. 

Apply  a  compress  of  several  folds  of  cotton  cloth,  soaked  in  a 
portion  of  the  following : 

Balsam  fir 1  lb. 

Hyposulphite  of  soda 2  oi. 

Proof  spirit 1  pt. 

Mix. 

Remedy  for  Tedious  Labor. 

The  natural  labor-pains  may  be  excited  by  administering: 
fluid  extract  of  ergot  (ergota),  two  drachms,  every  half  hour, 
until  delivery  is  accomplished.  The  ergot  operates  with  great 
energy  upon  the  contractile  function  of  the  uterus,  of  both  mares 
and  cows,  and  to  a  certain  extent  prevente  inordinate  hemorrhage 
after  parturition. 


850  DADI/S  VETERliNAKY  MEDICINE  AND  SURQEKl. 

Remedy  for  Hemorrhage  in  Performing  Operations. 

Apply,  by  means  of  a  compress  of  linen  or  sponge,  a  small 
quantity  of  persulphite  of  iron.  This  is  the  most  valuable  styptic 
known  to  veterinary  science. 

Fluid  Extract  of  Aconite. 

(Aeonitum  Napelhu — MonK i-hood.) 

This  medicine  is  used  as  a  very  powerful  sedative  and  narcotic 
in  all  cases  of  active  or  inflammatory  disease  of  the  lungs  or  brain 
It  is  highly  recommended  by  the  professors  of  our  art  as  a  reliable 
antiphlogistic  in  the  treatment  of  acute  affections.  The  dose  is 
from  ten  to  twenty  drops.  This  medicine  is  said  to  be  very  effi- 
cacious in  inflammatory  rheumatism,  and  as  a  fine  topical  remedy 
in  localized  painful  affections,  such  as  laminitis,  myalgia,  etc. 

Hyposulphite  of  Soda. 

The  hyposulphite  of  soda  is  useful  in  all  kinds  of  diseases  known 
as  rinderpest,  pleuro-pneumonia,  typhoid  affections,  and  in  er 
zootic  affections,  and  in  all  diseases  caused  by  fermentation  in  the 
blood,  such  as  Texas  fever,  malignant  scarlet  fever,  typhus,  etc 
The  hyposulphite  of  soda  can  be  used  with  great  success  in  the 
treatment  of  the  above  and  other  affections  of  an  enzootic  origin, 
yet  I  have  found  it  more  efficacious  and  reliable  when  prepared 
as  follows: 


of  soda '\ 

,te  of  lime. . .  >( 
,te  of  potass. .  ) 


Hyposulphite 

Hypophosphate  of  lime  •  •  •  [•  each 1    «. 

Hypophosphate 

Fluid  extract  of  ginger 2  OE. 

Sugar  of  milk 1  OS. 

Proof  spirit 1  fl 


DoM,  two  onnoes.  two  or  three  times  daily. 


GLOSSARY 


MEDICAL  AND  SCIENTIFIC  TERMS. 


Ab.vormal — Irregular. 

Absorbents — Medicines  used  for  absorbing;  also  the  vessels  ot  ^4 

body  which  suck  up. 
Acute — Sharp,  severe. 
Adipose — Fatty. 
Adynamic — Debilitated. 
Alae — Wings. 

Alteratives — Medicines  which  change  a  disease  for  the  bettor. 
Anasarca — Dropsy  of  cellular  membrane. 
Anasarcous — Dropsical. 
AN.ffJMiA — Bloodlessness. 

Antiseptics — Medicines  opposed  to  putrefaction. 
Antispasmodics — Remedies  opposed  to  spasms  or  ooDytxlrioni. 
Antiphlogistic — Opposed  to  inflammation. 
Aperients — Medicines  which  open  the  bowels  gently 
Aqueous — Watery. 
Ascites — Dropsy  of  the  belly. 
Ataxic — Disordered. 

Auscultation — Examination  by  sounding  and  UsteiiiBff. 
Autopsy — Post-mortem  examination. 

BrFUBCATiON — Division  into  two  branches. 

Bolus — A  large  pill. 

Buccal  Membrane — The  lining  of  the  moutk. 

Canthus — Corner  of  the  eye. 
Capsule — Shell  or  case. 

(351) 


DADDS  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

Carbonaceous — Containing  carbon. 

Carminatives — Medicines  which  relieve  pain  by  expelling  wind  ftoA 

the  bowels. 
Cartilaginous — Composed  of  cartilage. 
Cathartic — Loosening. 
Cellular — Cell-like. 
Cerebellum — The  brain. 
Cerebrum — The  brain. 
Chancrous — Cancerous. 
Clinical — Relating  to  individual  practice. 
Coma — Stupor. 
Comatose — Stupefied 
Conjunctivial  Membrane — The  membrane  which  lines  the  ejelidf 

and  covers  the  eyeball. 
Cornea — Transparent  coat  of  the  eye. 
Cranial — Pertaining  to  the  skull. 
Cranium — Skull. 
Crucial — Shaped  like  a  cross. 

Decarbonize — To  purify  by  air. 

Diagnosis — The  art  of  telling  the  nature  of  diseases. 

Diaphoretics — ^Medicines  which  promote  perspiratioii. 

Diathesis — Predisposition  to  certain  diseases. 

Dietetics — Regulation  of  diet. 

Diuretics — Medicines  which  increase  the  flow  of  urine. 

Duct — Canal. 

Dynamic — Relating  to  the  vital  forces. 

Emollients — Substances  used  to  reduce  inflammations. 
Emphysema — Distention  by  gas  or  wind  of  certain  portions  of  tlie 

body. 
Emunctories — Organs  which  carry  off  waste  matters. 
Encephalon — The  brain, 
Enema — Injection. 

Enzootic — Endemic  diseases  among  animals. 
Epizootic — Epidemic  among  animals. 
Equilibrium — Balance. 
Equine — Relating  to  the  horse. 
Etiology — The  doctrine  of  the  causes  of  disorders. 
Excrementitious — Useless. 

Excretory — Relating  to  vessels  which  throw  off  useless  matter. 
Extravasation — Escape  of  a  fluid  of  the  body  from  its  vessel  into 

surrounding  parts. 


GLOSSARY  OF  MEDICAL  AND  StiENTiFIC  TEEMS  ib^ 

Exudation — Oozing  through  a  membrane. 

Fauces — The  throat. 
Fleam — Used  in  bleeding. 

Graminivorous — Feeding  on  grass. 

Hematosine — The  red  coloring  matter  of  the  blood. 

Hemorrhage — Bleeding. 

HiPPlATRic — Relating  to  diseases  of  the  horse. 

Histology — General  anatomy. 

Hydrocepualus — Water  in  the  head. 

Hygiene — Preservation  of  health. 

Ichorous — Humory. 
Idiopathic — Primary  affections. 
Idiosyncrasy — Peculiarity  of  constitution. 
Indurated — Hardened. 
Inguinal — Belonging  to  the  groin. 
Intercostal — Between  the  ribs. 
Inunction — The  act  of  rubbing  m. 

Lachrymal  Glands — Those  which  secrete  tears 

Lancinating — "  Shooting." 

Laxatives — Loosening  medicines. 

Lesion — Disorder. 

Ligament — The  substance  which  joins  bone:  togethtf. 

Mamm.^; — Breasts. 
Masseters — Muscles  of  the  i.iwa 
Morbid — Diseased. 
Morbific — Producing  disease 


Navicular — One  of  the  bones  of  the  foot. 
Neuro-pathology — The  nervous  system  in 
Nodulous — Like  a  knot. 
Nosology — Classification  of  diseases. 

(Edematous — Swollen. 
Opaque — Not  transparent. 
Os  CALCI8 — Bone  of  the  heel. 
Osseous — Bony. 
Ovoid — In  form  of  an  egg. 
23 


854  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SUROEIT. 

Palatine — Relating  to  the  palate. 

I^ANZOOTIC — An  epidemic  aflfecting  animals  gpneraiiy. 

Parasite — An  animal  which  lives  on  another. 

Parotid — Largest  salivary  gland. 

Pathologi — The  study  of  the  body  in  dbease. 

Pedicle — Narrow  part  of  a  tumor. 

Petechial — Resembling  flea-bites. 

Phthisis — Wasting  away. 

Pituitary  Membrane — Lining  of  the  nostrils. 

Pseudo-membranous — Relating  to  false  membraneSi 

Pus — Matter. 

Pylorus — Entrance  into  intestines. 

Rale — A  watery  sound  heard  in  sounding  the  chest  in  some  dise^Mi 

Sanative — Health-giving. 

ScHNEiDERiAN  Membrane — The  lining  of  the  nostrils. 

Sebaceous — Of  the  nature  of  suet. 

Sedatives — Medicines  which  produce  sleep. 

Serous — Watery. 

Serum — Watery  part  of  the  blood. 

Solvent — That  which  dissolves. 

Sporadic — Scattered. 

Submaxillary — Beneath  the  jaw. 

SUDAMINA — Small  eruptions. 

Supra-renal — Above  the  kidney. 

Thoracic — Relating  to  the  chest. 

Thyroid — Shaped  like  a  folding  door. 

Tonics — Medicines  which  give  tone  and  strength  to  the  body. 

Tubercular — Relating  to  tumors  in  the  structure  of  an  org**. 

Tumefaction — Swelling. 

Turbinated  Bones — Bones  of  the  nose  shaped  like  s  top. 

TrRGESCENCE — Great  amount  of  humors  in  any  part. 

Vascular — Full  of  blood-vessels 

V  ENTRICLE — Cavity. 

Virus — Poison. 

Vis  A  FRONTE — Force  from  the  front 

V^is  A  TEROO — Force  of  propulaioB. 

Viscous — Sticky. 

V«WE -BOX— Larynx. 


A  GUIDE  ro  DIAGNOSIS 


COMPLETE  INDEX  OF  SYMPTOMS. 


The  following  Index  of  Symptoms  is  arranged  alphabetically,  so 
that  ready  reference  can  be  made  to  any  symptom. 


HOW  TO  USE  THIS  INDEX. 


Animals  when  taken  sick,  not  having  the  power  of  speech,  can  not 
make  known  the  seat  of  their  disease,  except  by  certain  signs  or  in- 
variable symptoms.  It  therefore  becomes  of  the  highest  importance* 
to  be  able  to  understand  the  mute  language  of  the  poor  dumb  brute, 
and  tlius  to  find  out  what  ails  him,  in  order  that  the  proper  means  of 
cure  may  be  speedily  made  Use  of. 

An  instance  of  the  use  to  be  made  of  this  Index  may  be  found  in 
the  following  case:  A  cow  is  seen  to  "get  down  and  moan  from  in- 
cessant pain,"  "rumination  has  ceased,"  "dung  is  hard,  and  streaked 
with  blood,"  "the  flanks  heave,"  "legs  tremulous,"  "  has  a  staggering 
gait."  Now,  by  referring  to  the  "Index  of  Syin[)toms,"  whicli  is  al- 
phabetically arranged,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  foregoing  symptoms 
point  to  page  76  where  "Inflammation  of  the  Bowels"  is  fully  de- 
scribed, and  we  conclude  at  once  that  this  k  what  ails  the  ccw,  and 

(355\ 


"56  DABD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND   SURGERY. 

we  cau  proceed  to  administer  the  proper  remedies.  This  mode  of 
ascertaining  the  nature  of  the  disease  may  be  styled  the  "Natural 
Method,"  inasmuch  as  it  first  observed  the  symptoms  or  signs  which 
the  case  presents,  and  from  them  decides  as  to  what  form  of  disease  ii» 
present.  It  is  a  mode  of  procedure  original  with  this  work,  and  it  i» 
believed  to  be  the  only  practical  way  in  which  an  unprofessional  per- 
son may  arrive  at  the  truth  in  the  premises.  The  same  plan  is  usetJ 
in  Dr.  Dadd's  Reformed  Horse  Book,  published  by  R.  AV.  Car 
roll  &  Co. 

In  observing  symptoms,  attention  should  be  directed  to  the  '\  .iriouj> 
parts  of  the  body  of  the  animal  which  give  th(  earliest  warnings  of 
disease.     These  are,  usually. 

The  Eyes,  Tongue,  Muzzle,  Throat,  Pulse,  Chest,  Heart,. 
Breath,  Breathing  ;  Discharges  from  the  Mouth  ;  Discharges 
FROM  the  Nostrils  ;  The  Skin,  The  Coat,  The  Back,  The  Atti- 
tude, AND  General  Appearance  of  the  whole  Body. 


BOVINE  DEPARTMENT. 

P^GES 

Abdomen,  enlarged  and  pendulous 102 

Appetite,  loss  of 30,  40,  43,  105,  141,  197 

do.       morbid,  inclining  to  eat  bones,  stone,  etc 168 

do.       small 215 

Back,  arched  upward 224 

do.     slightly  roached 129 

Bag,  inflamed  and  swollen , 113 

Bellowing,  loudly - 203 

Belly,  much  enlarged - 102 

do.     enlarged,  with  great  pain  in 85 

do      pressure  upon,  produces  pain 76 

do.     struck  with  hind  feet 85 

do.     sudden  and  severe  pain  in ■  •  ■  76 

do.     tucked  up 76 

Blood,  from  the  rectum 78 

do.     voided  in  the  urine ':27 

Body,  surface  of,  hot 224 

Bones,  prominent 1 68 

Bowels,  constipated 169,  21^ 

do.       large,  watery  discharges  iron    50 

do.       vellow  or  greenish         do.          79 


A  GUIDE  IV    DIAGNOSIb.  857 


Breat  fc-bone,  pressure  upon,  gives  great  pain ....   141 

Ches  .,  sudden  and  irregular  nervous  action  of  the  muscles  of.. . . .   202 

Coat,  staring 197,  245 

Convulsions 237 

Cough,  painful 51 

do.       slight 40,     46 

do.      suppressed 51 

Cramps 30 

"  Cud  lost " 209 

Debility 46,  102 

Difficulty,  in  rising 102 

Dullness 30,    129,  197 

Dung,  hard 76 

do.      do.  and  black 215 

do.      lighter  colored  than  usual 224 

do,      offensive  odor  from 45 

do.      streaked  with  blood 70 

Ears,  hot,  drooping  and  moist. 224 

Emaciation > 46 

Expectoration 46 

Eyeballs  protrude  ("  stick  out ") 203 

Eyelids,  much  swollen 50 

do.       of  one  eye  irritated  and  swollen 155 

Eyes,  pain  and  tenderness  of 154 

do.    visible  surfaces  of,  highly  reddened 141,  203,  237 

do.    whites  of,  turned  yellow. 209 

do.     wild  look  from c 105 

Feet,  cold 40 

Fever 46,     51 

Feverishness 209 

Fits,  epileptic,  accompanied  by  loud  bellowing  and  pawing    the 

ground 197 

do.         do.        with  running  at  any  thing  in  reach ... , 197 

Flanks,  anxious  gazing  at,  with  moaning 78 

do.      heaving  at 43,  76,  215 

do.      left  one  swollen  and  hard 67 

Flesh,  rapid  loss  of. ,. 45 

Foot,  discharge  of  bad  smelling  matter  from 219 

Frantic 196 

Frenzy 196 

Giddiness  and  nervousness 198 

•&ruuting,  or  moaning  on  being  backed. .        .    . . .  >      ...  ■  . .     f  I 


HOS  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. 

PAfiEa 

Gums,  eruptions  on 60 

do.      swollen  and  black 250 

Hair,  coarse  a\id  standing  straight  up 168 

do.    rough 43 

do.    watery  fluid  dribbling  from 224 

Head,  dashed  recklessly  on  the  floor 105 

do.,     directed  toward  region  of  the  heart ,  > J  41 

do.     drooping  of 30 

do.     pressed  forcibly  against  a  wall 197 

do.     thrust  forward »  . . .  40 

do.     turned  toward  liver 209 

Heart,  deadened  sound  on  applying  the  ear  over 147 

do.      increased  force  of  the  beating  of 141 

Horns,  chilliness  of 129,  202 

do.       heat  about  the  base  of 147,  209,  224 

do.       tearing  up  ground  with 203 

do.       trying  to  injure  every  thing  with 203 

Jaw,  (lower)  enlargement  at  the  angle  of. 177 

Jaws,  angle  of,  gradual  enlargement  at 179 

do.     compressed 30 

Jugular  veins  engorged 140,  141 

do.         do.    undulating  or  "  wavy  "  motion  on 141 

Kidneys,  pressure  over  region  of,  causes  pain 129 

Legs,  cold 40,  43,  197 

do.    fore  ones,  sudden  nervous  action  of  muscles 202 

do.           do.        trembling 51 

do.          do.        wide  apart 40,  51 

do.     tremulous 76 

Lie  down,  refusal  to 40,  51 

Liver,  fullness  in  region  of 209 

Milk,  quantity  diminished 197 

Motion,  gives  distress 140 

Mouth ,  dry 43 

do,      foaming  at 105,  250 

d         hot  and  clammy 40,  105 

do.     hot  and  feverish 147,  209 

do.      increased  flow  of  saliva  from    50,  224 

dr       lining  membrane  of,  pale  and  watery 102 

av       lining  of,  very  red 203 

do.              do.     yellow 209 

Muscles,  nervous  and  spasmodic  twitches  of 105 

Muzzle,  dry 105.  129 


A  GUIDE  TO  DIAGNOSIS.  359 

PA.GE9 

Neck,  Stiff. 45 

Nervous  action 237 

Nose,  glairy  discharge  from 4£ 

do.     lining  of,  pale  and  watery 102 

do.  do.    reddened 43,    141,203 

do      thrust  forward o(> 

Nostrils,  food  returned  by  the 48 

do.      matter  from 35 

i'ain,  severe  and  constant,  in  the  bowels 78 

do.       do,     upon  pressing  breast-bone 41 

Pawing 203 

Perspiration,  profuse,  following  a  fit 197 

Pulse,  feeble  and  oppressed 140 

do.      increased  force 141,  209 

do.      jerking 202 

do.      quick 40,  43,     50 

do.        do.  yet  small 237 

do.     violent,  abrupt,  and  strong 147 

Restlessness 85 

Respiration,  labored 40 

Ribs,  pressure  between,  gives  great  pain 51 

Rigors,  followed  by  acute  inflammatory  fever 141 

Rumination,  ceased 76,  78,  141,  147,  209,  245 

Separation  from  the  herd , 1 98 

Shivering  fits 40,  22-i 

do.         followed  by  inflammatory  fever 141 

Skin,  tight  and  hard 168 

do.    yellow 215 

do.     watery  bladders  formed  on 224 

"  Slobbering  "' 224 

Snorting 43 

Spasms r 237 

Spinal  column  curved  in  downward  direction 1(1  i 

Staggering.. 30,  76,  215 

Stifi"ness 30,  250 

Stomach,  distende:  with  gas 50 

Suff'ocatiou 35 

Surface  of  the  body  chilly 129,  202 

Swallowing,  loss  of  power  of, 48,  203 

Tears,  running  down  the  face 50,  154 

TeetL,  grating  of. 105,  197 

Thinness 46 


'itiO  DADD'S  VETERINARY  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERl. 

PAGl> 

Thirst,  intense 203,  2lo 

do.     slight 209 

Throat,  glands  of,  enlarged 45,  255 

do.      soreness  of 43 

do.      swollen  and  tender 36 

Tongue,  eruptions  on 60 

do.       much  swollen , 50,  22 1 

do.       slightly  coated 105 

do.       swollen  and  coated  with  brown  fur 237 

do.  do.      and  black 250 

Trembling 30,  237 

Tremblings  and  twitchings,  violent 197 

Tumors  on  various  parts  of  the  body,  giving,  when  pressed,  a 

crackling  sound 45 

Udder,  swollen,  hot,  and  tender 105,  113 

Urine,  black 131 

do.    bloody 30,  127 

do.     difficulty  in  passing 129 

do.    flow  of,  suddenly  arrested,  with  trembling  of  hind  legs  . .   131 

do.     high-colored 237 

do.     reddened 129 

do.     scanty  and  dark-colored 224 

do.    yellow 215 

Walking,  crackling  noise  heard  while 168 

do.       with  stiffened  joints 168 

Wasting  away 46 

Wind,  from  the  anus 85 


DISEASES  OF  SHEEP. 

Anus,  inside  of,  turned  yellow 306 

Bloated  appearance  of  body 312 

Breathing,  quickened 311 

Cough 311 

Eyelids,  kept  closed 31U 

Eyes,  tears  from  lower  corner  of. 310 

do.    whites  of,  reddened 310 

do.         do.        turned  yellow 306 

Flanks,  heaving  at 311 

Head,  frequent  shaking  of 306 


A  GUIDE  TO  DIAGNOSIS.  361 

PAGES 

Head,  pressed  against  fence  or  post 306 

do.     purple  spots  on 322 

Lameness,  in  fore  or  hind  legs 308 

Lazy  movements,  with  nose  almost  on  the  ground 306 

Legs,  hot,  tender,  and  swollen,  with  oflFensive  discharge  from. . . .  308 

Light,  painful  to  the  eyes 310 

Nose,  discharge  from 311 

do.     lining  of,  turned  yellow 306 

Panting 311 

Skin,  turned  yellow 306 

Sneezing 311 

Teeth,  grating  of. 306 

Thighs,  insides  of,  turned  yellow 306 


DISEASES  OF  SWINE. 

Appetite,  loss  of 320 

Breathing,  quick  and  difficult 320 

do.  very  difficult 318 

Cough 320 

do.    distressing 318 

Diarrhea,  copious 322 

Flesh,  rapid  wasting  of 320 

Food,  refusal  of 322 

Mouth,  frothing  at,  as  if  choking 318 

Neck,  stiffness  of. 318 

Nose,  purple  spots  on   322 

do.    stretched  forward » 318 

Shivering  fits 320 

Staggering 322 

Swallowing,  very  difficult .^ 318 

Thirst,  great 322 

Throat,  swollen 318 

Vomiting 322 

Walking,  falling  down  in 322 

Weakoess,  great 322 


TABLES  OF  WEIGHTS  AND  MEASURES. 


APOTHECARIES'  WEIGHTS. 

20  grains  make  one  scruple,  marked . . . , 9j. 

3  scruples      do.      drachm,      do 3j» 

8  drachms      do.      ounce,        do ^j. 

12  ounces         do.      pound,        do Ibj. 


LIQUID  MEASURES. 


60  drops  make  one  drachm,  marked 3j, 

8  drachms      do.      ounce,        do |j. 

20  ounces         do.      pint,  do Oj. 

8  pints  do.      gallon,       do Cong. 


ORDINARY  MODES  OP  MEASURING  LIQUIDS. 

A  tea-spoonful  of  liquid  equals  60  drops,  or  one  drachm, 
A  table -spoonful  of        do.  ^  ounce,  or  four  drachms, 

A  dessertspoonful  of      do.         180  drops,  or  three  drachms, 
A  toine-glassful  of  do.  1^  ounces. 


The  doses  vary  in  quantity  in  different  animals.     The  amount  to 
be  given  in  any  case  will  be  found  clearly  stated  in  the  treatment  of 
•Mh  disease,  whether  of  horses,  cattle,  sheep,  or  hogs, 
(362) 


INDEX 


A  PAGES 

Abortion  in  cows 118 

Abscess  at  the  angle  of  the  jaw 179 

After-birth,  removal  of 93 

Anthrax 244 

Aphthse , 60 

Apoplexy,  pulmonary 49 

B 

Bile,  its  secretion  and  uses 208 

Bladder,  description  of 126 

do.       calculi  within 130 

Black  water 131 

do.     leg 244 

do.     tongue 250 

Bloat 64 

Bone  disorder 172 

Bones,  their  mechanism,  structure, 

and  composition ...  176 

do.    fracture  of. 251 

do.    ulceration  of 181 

Bowels,  inflammation  of 76 

do.      8pa,sm  of «...  86 

do.      constipation  of 87 

Brain,  inflammation  of 196 

Bronchitis 38 

Bronchial  tubes,  description  cf 38 

Bronchocele 255 

C 

Cachexia   ossafraga  (the  cripple)..  164 

Calculi  in  the  bladder 130 

Calves,  diarrhea  in 254 

Cancer  in  cattle 156 

Caries,  or  ulceration  of  bones 181 

Crwtraiion 227 

Cstarrh,  common 43 

'\o.       epizootic 46 


Cattle,  dentition  of 71 

do.     plague,  remarks  on 264 

do.         do.     in  Kentucky 29 

Cerebral  parasites 197 

Chapped  teats  and  chafed  udder...  113 

Cheap  fodder  for  cows 244 

Chronic  diarrhea 80 

Cleansing,  or  removal  of  the  after- 
birth   93 

Coats  of  the  eye 150 

Colic,  flatulent 85 

Constipation  of  the  bowels 87 

Constriction    at    the   neck   of   the 

uterus 99 

Consumption 46 

Contagious  pleuro-pnenmonia 15 

Cords  in  young  calves 240 

Cows,  abortion  in 113 

do.     spaying  of 257 

Cracks  in  the  heels 225 

Croup  35 

Cud,  loss  of 14 

D 

Dentition  of  cattle 71 

do.        synopsis 7J 

Description  of  the  larynx 37 

do.         of  bronchial  tubes 38 

do.          of  the  pharynx 49 

do.         of  the  pleura 51 

do.         of  oesophagus 53 

do.          of  the  stomach 6J 

do.         of  the  urinary  system..  !25 

do.          of  the  heart 136 

do.         of  the  eye 12S 

do.          if  the  ^■«-    iif^ 

(36.^^ 


S64 


PAGES 

Dilatation  of  the  h€art 140 

do.        of  the  jaw-bones 177 

Diarrhea 79 

do.       chronic 80 

do        in  calves 254 

Diseases  of  the  generative  organs..     99 
do.      of  the  eye  and  its  mem- 
branes   149 

of  the  bones 164 


do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 


of  the  brain 19G 

of  the  liver 207 

of  the  skin 216 

of  the  udder,  teats,  etc 113 

of  the  urinary  organs 125 

Diseased  thymus  gland 239 

Disorder  of  bone 172 

Distension  of  the  rumen  with  food..     67 
Dropsy  of  the  womb 102 


Embryotomy 

Endocarditis  

Enteritis 

Enzootic  milk-sickness,  or  trem- 
bles   

Epizootic  catarrh 

do.       aphthae  

Eruption,  vesicular 

Exanthemata,  or  eruptive  fever 

Exostosis  

Eye,  cancer  of 

do.   coats  of 

do.  diseases  of- 

do.   foreign  bodies  in 

do.    humors  of 

do.   inflammation  of 

\o.   muscles  of 


Falling  of  the  womb 1-09 

Fever,  puerperal 

do.     eruptive 

Flatulent  colic 

Food,  ingestion  of 

Foreign  bodies  in  the  gullet. 
Foul  in  the  foot 


103 

216 

85 

62 

53 

219 

Fractured  bones 251 


Q  PAOBI 

Gadflies 221 

Gastro-intestinal  inflaii^matioa 68 

Generative  organs,  diseases  of 99 

Gullet,  foreign  bodies  in 53 

|Gut-tie  91 

H 

Hsematuria 127 

Hair  of  cattle  as  an  epidemic  ap- 
pendage    223 

Heart,  description  of 136 

do.    its  function  and  diseases 139 

do,     dilatation   of 140 

do.    hypertrophy  of 146 

Heels,  cracks  in 225 

Hemorrhage,  uterine 96 

Hernia,  or  ruptures 158 

do.      inguinal 159 

do.      strangulated 159 

do.      ventral 160 

Horn-ail 184 

Hoose,  or  comipon  catarrh 43 

Hoven 64 

Humor  of  the  eye 149 

Hydatids 210 

Hydrophobia 203 

I 

Improved  method  of  milking 238 

do.  do.     of  spaying 262 

Inflamifiation  of  the  lungs 39 

do.  gnstro-intestinal 68 

do.  of  the  bowels 76 

do.  of  the  eye 154 

do.  of  the  brain  and  its 

membranes 196 

do.        ■  of  theliver 209 

do.  of  the  udder 113 

Inflammatory  aflection  of  the  hind 
limbs  after  calv- 
ing   123 

do.  inflammation  of  the 

kidneys 129 

Internal  ruptures  in  oxen 84 

Invagination  of  intestines 77 

Inversion  of  the  vagina 117 


J  PAGES 

J«andice 213 

Jaw-bones,  dilatation  of 177 

Jaw^  abscess  at  its  angle 179 

K 

Kentucky,  cattle  plagne  in 29 

Kidneys,  inflammation  of. 129 


Labor,  signs  of >  88 

do.    natural 88 

do.    unnatural 89 

Laceration  of  the  vagina 118 

do.        of  the  oesophagus 55 

Laryngitis  36 

Larynx,  description  of 37 

Light  in  barns,  necessity  of 253 

Liver,  description  of 207 

do.    inflammation  of 209 

Loss  of  cud 74 

Lungs,  inflammation  of 39 


Mammitis 113  I 

Mange 219 

Milking,  improved  method  of. 238 

Milk-sickness 231 

Muscles  of  the  eye  and  eyelids 151 


Natural   labor 88 


CEsopbigUR,  description  of..  ... 

do,  laceration  of. 

CEsophagotomy,  operation  of... 

Ophthalmia 

Origin    of    pleuro-pneumonia 

Massachusetts  

'>ten   internal  rupturea  in.... 


Pdlsy,  shaking 

Parasites,   cerebral 

PaKurition 

Pemphigus,  or  vesicular  eruption. 

Pericarditis  

P'<'-i>;;'.rdium  and  its  diseases 


197 
88 
224 
141 
141 


PAGES 

Pharyngitis,  or  sore  throats 48 

Pharynx,  description  of 49 

Plague,  cattle 264 

Pleura,  description  of 51 

Pleurisy - 51 

Pleuro-pneumonia,  contagious 15 

do.  its  introduction 

into    South 

Africa 23 

Pneumonia 39 

Pregnancy,  treatment  of  cows  dur- 
ing    100 

do.         symptoms  of 102 

Puerperal  fever 103 

Pulmonary  apoplexy 49 

K 

Red  water 132 

Rinderpest 15 

Rumen,  distension  of,  with  food...  67 

Rumination  or  remastication 62 

do.         suspension  of 74 

S 

Secretion  of  bile,  its  uses,  etc 208 

Shaking  palsy 202 

Signs  of  labor 88 

Sore  throat 48 

Spasm  of  the  bowels 86 

Spaying  cows 257 

do.      improved  method 262 

Specific  or  periodic  ophthalmia 155 

Sprains  or  strains 255 

Steamed  and  cooked  food  for  stock..  241 

Stomach,  description  of 61 

Stricture  in  cow's  teats 115 

Sturdy,  or  cerebral  parasites 197 

Sympathy  and  its  relations 181 

Symptoms  of  pregnancy 102 

Synopsis  of  dentition 73 

Suspended  rumination ~ 74 

T 

Tail-ail 193 

Teats,  stricture  in ~...  115 

do.     obstruction  in ; 115 

do.     tumors  in 116 


PAGES 

Teats,  injuries  to 116 

do.    sore 116 

do.     chapped 116 

Throat,  sore 48 

Thrush,  or  sore  mouth 60 

Tymus  gland,  diseaseof- -...  239 

Tongue,  black 260 

Treatment   of   cowh  during  preg- 
nancy  100 

Trembles  231 

Triplets,  birth  of 96 

Tympanitis 64 

Twins,  birth  of 96 

D 

Udder,  inflammation  of 113 

Unnatural  labor- 89 

Ureters 126 


PAon 

Urinary  calculi JSO 

do.       organs,  diseases  of 126 

do.       system,  description  of 125 

Uterine  hemorrhage 96 

Uterus,  constriction  of. 99 


Vagina, inversion  of }Vi 

do.     laceration  o! 11*1 

W 

Warts 220 

Womb,  dropsy  of 102 

do.      falling  of - 109 


I  Yellows,  or  jaundice 213 

1  Yoke-galb. -...  222 


SHEEP  AND  SWINE. 


Arnica,  fluid  extract  of 344 

Aconite,  do.      do 350 

B 

Bakewell  on  sheep 303 

Bayberry,  fruid  extract  of 347 

Belly,  windy  distention  of,  in  sheep  312 

Blankets  for  sheep 307 

Black  snakeroot,  fluid  extract  of...  345 

Black  pepper,        do.       do 348 

Bloodroot,  do.        do 348 

Bowels,  constipation  of,  in  sheep...  312 

Breeding  of  sheep- 303 

Iliicliu,  fluid  extract  of 345 


Catairh  in  sheep 311 

Chamomile,  fluid  extract  of/ 344 

Cholera,  hog 321 

do.      do.  Sutton  on 323 

do.      do  Dadd's  remedy  for~...  331 


vXQta 

Colchionm,  fluid  extract  of- 346 

Constipation  of  bowels  in  sheep...  312 

Cubebs,  fluid  extract  of 348 

Culver's  root,        do 347 


Dndd's  remedy  for  hog  cholera 331 

Diagnosis,  guide  to 355 

Diarrhea  in  sheep 312 

Diseases  of  sheep 302 

do.       of  swine .313 

Dysentery  in  sheep 312 


Effects  of  impure  air  on  3wine 316 

Extracts,  fluid,  list  of 343 

Eye,  inflammation  of,  in  sheep... ~  310 


Foot-rot  in  sheep 308 

Fluid  extracts,  list  of :i48 


6^i 


G  PAGES 

<ii<  Mines*  in  sheep 307 

Ginger,  fluid  extract  of 349 

<To[den  seal,        do 346 

Grubs  in  the  nostrils  of  sheep 346 

Guide  to  diagnosis 355 

H 

Hemorrhage,  remedy  for 350 

Cfernia,  or  rupture,  of  swine 319 

Hog  cholera 321 

Hops,  fluid  extract  of. 346 

Hyposulphite  of  soda 350 

I 

Impure  air,  efiects  of,  on  swine 315 

Indian  hemp,  fluid  extract  of. 345 

Inflammation  of  lungs  in  swine 320 

do.  of  the  eye  in  sb'^ep..  310 

do.         of  lungs        do.      >  311 

Intestinal  worms  in  swine 320 

J 

/acketa  forsheep 307 

L 

Labor,  tedious,  remedy  for 349 

Liver  of  sheep,  hydatids  in 305 

do.  do.      disease  of 306 

Lobelia,  fluid  extract  of 347 

Lunga  of  sheep,  inflammation  of...  311 

do.    of  swine,  do.  ...  320 

M 

Male  fern,  fluid  extract  of 344 

Nfatico,        do.        do 348 

Mandrake,  do.        do 348 

Measles  in  pork .^...^..  317 

N 

No-irils  of  sheep,  grubs  in...~ 309 

P 

f'l  ?urij<y  root,  fluid  extract  of- 344 

Ppvuinonia  in  swine 320 


f  AGES 

Poke-root,  fluid  extract  of 347 

Poppy-heads,  fluid  extract  of. 347 

Pork,  measles  in 317 

Prince's  pine,  fluid  extract  of. 345 

Q 

Quinsy  in  swine - »18 

R 

Rot  in  sheep 305 

Rupture  of  swine 31> 

S 

Sassafras,  fluid  extract  of -...  347 

Sheep,  diseases  of ~ 302 

do.    improvement  of 302 

do.    Bakewell's  manner  of  breed- 
ing   303 

Soda,  hypoiulphite  of.... 350 

Sutton  on  hog  eholera 323 

Swine,  diseases  of 313 

do.    eSects  of  impure  air  on 316 

T 

Tedious  labor,  remedy  for 349 

Ticks  in  sheep 310 

Trichinia  spiralis ~ 331i 

do.  do.    Brown  on 339 

Tympanites  in  sheep 312 

V 

Valerian,  fluid  extract  of. ~ 345? 

Vertigo  in  sheep 307 

W 

Witch-haze],  fluid  extract  of. 34& 

Worms  in  swine 320 

Wormwood,  fluid  extract  of 344 

Wounds,  remedy  for S50 

Y 

Yellows  in  sheep 30* 

Yellow  jessamine,  fluid  extract  of..  346 


MAY 


8 


^eNg^^^RMAMdyeSTER.' 


